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Kronobergs slottsruin

23 June 2021 / 12 Comments

Kronoberg castle ruins in Växjö - Vasa and the Dacke feud

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Kronoberg Castle Ruin is a well-preserved historical ruin that tells interesting stories about Gustav Vasa and the Dacke feud. Join us on an exciting journey to the 16th century!

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Kronoberg castle ruins

The Kronoberg Castle ruins are still impressive, even though all that remains are ruins. Imagine what it once looked like, and what took place here!

Kronobergs slottsruin

Kronoberg Castle Ruin is located on an islet in Lake Helga, in the municipality of Växjö, in Småland.

Kronoberg castle ruins - originally a bishop's castle

In the 15th century, the Bishop of Växjö built a fortification on an island in Lake Helga. The fortification may not have been very large at first, but over time it developed into a castle of stone and wood. The fortress was destroyed in 1469 by the Danes, but the bishops did not give up. After the peace of 1472, they built a new castle.

kronobergs slottsruin

Gustav Vasa and the Dacke feud

During the Reformation in the 16th century, the church's property was transferred to the Crown. This was true at least in most places in the country. In Växjö, the bishop was allowed to remain on his property. This was not because Gustav Vasa was generous, but because he saw that in Småland it was strategic to keep the bishop in place.

However, Gustav Vasa could not protect himself against discontent and rebellion. The greatest threat came from Nils Dacke, who, in 1542, launched the Tyre fights. The peasants were unhappy with Vasa's attempt to strengthen the central power, and in Småland, where they had been relatively independent, the dissatisfaction was particularly strong. During the feud, Dacke and his men captured Kronoberg Castle, from where they led the rebellion.

Dacke was strong, but Gustav Vasa was stronger. The Dacke rebellion was crushed, and then Mr Vasa had his castle expanded into a typical Vasa castle with large round corner towers.

Vasaborgen - and its decay

Kronoberg Castle was now a powerful building, but in the times that followed there were concerns about attacks from the Danes. Gustav Vasa's eldest son, Duke Erik, visited Kronoberg Castle in the winter of 1559 and his eldest child, his daughter Virginia, was born in January.

Kronobergs slottsruin

Erik and his party ate and drank heavily at the castle in the winter of 1959, and there is a small "peep hole" with little dolls to show what it might have looked like.

The year 1612 was the last time the castle served as a border during a Danish siege. After the Peace of Brömsebo in 1645, the castle fell into disrepair and was soon a ruin.

Visiting the Kronoberg Castle ruins

Update in 2023: From the turn of 2022/2023, the castle ruins will be permanently closed to visitors.

It is very nice and interesting to visit the Kronoberg castle ruins. We are a bit unsure if we paid 40 or 50 crowns in entry (memory fails), but it was in any case an affordable sum. We got a small brochure, and could then start the tour on our own.

Kronobergs slottsruin

Inside the castle grounds, you can freely wander around the different walls and "rooms". In some places you can experience what it might have felt like inside the premises.

Peter vid kronobergs slottsruin

In addition to the "regular" information signs, there may be special exhibitions in the area. When we were here, there was an exhibition about Dacke and the Dacke feud.

When you have finished with Kronoberg's castle ruin, you can, if you wish, eat food or have a coffee at Ryttmästaregården, which is right next door. Very cosy environment!

Where can you park your campervan?

There is a car park right next to the ruins of Kronoberg Castle, and if you have a motorhome you can stay here overnight if you wish. There are toilets, but no other services. When we were here we were together with two other motorhomes.

A funny thing was that in the evening we experienced entertainment by Swedish young people with origin from Eritrea (we think). They were dressed up in beautiful colourful party clothes and danced against each other (boys against girls) in the car park to music from a loudspeaker, a few hours in the evening before they drove on. We sat in the front row and were fascinated!

In the car park of the Kronoberg Castle ruin

If you prefer camping, you can drive to Evedals camping, where we also stayed one night. This is a nice campsite by Lake Helga, and here we got very good treatment from the nice staff at the reception.

See more around Kronoberg Castle Ruin

If you want to see more in the neighbourhood, you can visit Växjö, where you can see Växjö Cathedral, Småland Museum, and the Teleborg Castle. In the neighbourhood, it is also interesting to visit Huseby mill and the beautiful old churches Granhult church and Dädesjö Old Church.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

Have you visited the Kronoberg Castle ruins? How was your experience? Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in the area?

Facts about Kronoberg Castle Ruin

  • Municipality: Växjö
  • County: Kronoberg County
  • Landscape: Småland
  • Location:  On an island in Lake Helga about five kilometres north of Växjö.
  • Developer: Lars Michelson
  • Owners: Swedish National Heritage Board
  • Style: Medieval castle
  • Material: Stone
  • Read more: You can find more information at Småland Cultural Park

Services and practical information

  • Opening hours: May - August
  • Prices: 50 SEK for adults
  • Parking: Parking is available right next to the ruin. Motorhomes can be left overnight.
  • Toilets: Toilets are available.
  • Food service: Right next to the castle ruins is Ryttmästaregården, which serves hot dishes, salads, sandwiches and coffee.

History at Kronoberg Castle

  • 15th century: The Bishop of Växjö had a fortification built on the island in Lake Helga, near his farm in Kronoberg. The fortification developed over time into a castle of stone and wood.
  • 1469: The fortification was destroyed by the Danes.
  • 1472: After the peace, the fortification was rebuilt.

16th century

  • 1527: The Reformation began and property was transferred from the church to the crown. The bishop of Växjö remained in place, partly as a puppet, because Gustav Vasa realised that it was strategic.
  • 1542: Nils Dacke captured the castle during the Dacke Feud. Dacke led the rebellion against Gustav Vasa's government from here.
  • 16th century: After the suppression of the Dacke rebellion, Gustav Vasa had the castle expanded into a typical Vasa castle with large round corner towers.

17th century to the present

  • 1612: During a Danish siege, the castle served as a border fortress for the last time.
  • 1645: After the Peace of Brömsebro, the castle fell into disrepair. By the middle of the 17th century it was already a ruin.
  • 1930s: The ruin was restored.

You might also like:

Teleborgs slottTeleborg Castle in Växjö - a fairytale castle in Småland Kalmar slottKalmar castle - 800 years of war, celebration and power games Taxinge slottTaxinge castle - cookie castle in a beautiful location by Lake Mälaren Tidö slottTidö castle in Västerås - with a bicycle and motorbike museum Krapperups slottKrapperup Castle in Skåne - with castle park and coffee house

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23 June 2021 6:00
Sweden
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8 Comments

Add yours →

  1. Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

    There is so much to discover in our country. We have no shortage of history either.

    23 June 2021 - 9:37

    Reply

  2. Amanda (Swedish Passport) says:

    But look there, a castle ruin I completely missed! May be a trip past Växjö this summer 😉 .

    23 June 2021 - 10:04

    Reply

  3. Margareta Lillvik says:

    We have visited Växjö and Kronoberg Castle //lillviks.blogspot.com/search?q=växjö There is a lot to discover in our country.

    23 June 2021 - 10:43

    Reply

  4. bmlarstravellingblog says:

    So many sights we never heard of in our country! Just in the last few days we have received two new examples, thank you!

    23 June 2021 - 15:03

    Reply

4 Pingbacks

  1. Things to do in Växjö - 15 tips for sights and experiences | FREEDOMtravel
  2. Kyrkö Mosse car cemetery - a different kind of attraction | FREEDOMtravel
  3. Teleborg Castle in Växjö - a fairytale castle in Småland | FREEDOMtravel
  4. Huseby Mill in Småland - a well-preserved time bubble | FREEDOMtravel

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