Kalmar Castle is a Castle in Kalmar, the province of Smهland in Sweden.
During the twelfth century a round defensive tower was built on Kalmarsund and a harbour constructed. At the end of the thirteenth century King Magnus Ladulهs had a new fortress built with a curtain wall, round corner towers and two square gatehouses surrounding the original tower. Located near the site of Kalmar's medieval harbor, it has played a crucial part in Swedish history since its initial construction as a fortified tower in the 12th century.
One of the most significant political events in Scandinavia took place at Kalmar Castle in 1397, when the Kalmar Union was formed - a union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, organized by Queen Margaret I of Denmark. During the Swedish rebellion against Denmark in 1520, the fortress was commanded by Anna Eriksdotter.
The fortress was improved during the 16th century under the direction of King Gustav I and his sons King Eric XIV and King John III, who turned the medieval fortress into a Castle fit for a renaissance king. Kalmar Castle suffered heavy damage during the Kalmar War of 1611-13 and was badly damaged by a fire in 1642. Repairs were begun but from the end of the seventeenth century the Castle was allowed to fall into disrepair.


In 1856 , architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander (1816 - 1881) initiated restoration work at Kalmar Castle. His pupil Helgo Zettervall continued restoring Kalmar Castle in the 1880s. Architect Carl Mِller drew up the plans and other documents. The work began in 1885 and by 1891 the Castle had gained the silhouette it bears today. In 1919 professor Martin Olsson was charged with the continuing restoration of earthworks, the moat, the bridge and the drawbridge. Work continued until 1941, when the Castle was once more surrounded by water. Today, it is one of Sweden's best preserved renaissance castles and is open to the public.


Phone: office +46 480 451490, giftshop +46 480 451491
Fax: +46 480 451499
E-mail: kalmarslott@kalmar.com
Address: About 0,5 km from the center of Kalmar, Kungsgatan 1
location on map


opining Hours

January-March 2nd weekend of the month 11:00 - 3:30pm
(01/08-01/09, 02/12-02/13 & 03/12-03/13)
April, Every Saturday & Sunday 11:00 - 3:30pm
April, 21st - 25th 11:00-3:30pm Easter holiday
May & June, daily 10:00 - 4:00pm
June 24th 10:00-2:00pm Midsummer evening
July, daily 10:00 - 6:00pm
August, 1st - 14th, daily 10:00 - 6:00pm
August, 15th - 31st daily 10:00 - 5:00 pm
September, daily 10:00 - 4:00pm
October, Every Saturday & Sunday 11:00 - 3:30pm
November, 12th-13th 11:00 - 3:30pm
December, 10th-11th 11:00 - 3:30pm

ADMISSION FEE

• Children/Youth 3-17 yrs sek 25
• Youth 18-26 yrs sek 50
• Adults sek 90
• Families sek 200 (2 adults, 2children)

some photos