History of the castle
700 years and plenty of stories to tell
As mentioned, Örebro Castle dates back to the 14th century and offers both royal history and fascinating stories. After all, there’s certainly plenty to tell when famous figures like Gustav Vasa, Lasse-Maja, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, and many others have called this place home.
So, take a look around and get a glimpse of the castle’s (and sometimes even the city’s) long history. Of course, there’s plenty more to discover. A great tip is to join a guided historical tour of the castle. It will give you an even better understanding of the place—and make your visit to the castle that much more enjoyable.
the 14th century
The history of Örebro Castle stretches back about 700 years, to the time when Örebro was granted city privileges and became a true city. By today’s standards, the city isn’t particularly large—it consists of just a few blocks around Storbron and Stortorget. But still, it’s a city.
Of course, a real city needs its own fortress. A fairly simple fortress is therefore being built on an islet near the important bridge over the Svartån River.
Originally, it consisted of a stone house, a thirty-meter-high defensive tower, and a perimeter wall approximately seven meters high and three meters thick. At the top of the tower is a lookout, and at the very bottom lies what is presumably a dark and cold dungeon.
the 15th century
The fortress has grown considerably larger, likely thanks to King Magnus Eriksson (who, incidentally, was the grandson of the king known as Magnus Ladulås). The castle is called Örebro House and consists of three three-story residential wings arranged around the old tower. On the south side is a large hall with magnificent pointed-arch windows—typical Gothic architecture and typical of the Middle Ages.
Yet its size does not protect the castle from attack. Every now and then, someone lays siege to Örebro Castle. As in 1434, when Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson captured the castle and moved in.
the 16th century
These were not peaceful times for Örebro Castle. By the mid-1500s, the castle had been attacked a total of nine times. In addition to Engelbrekt, Kristian II—perhaps better known as Kristian the Tyrant—also laid siege to Örebro’s pride and joy. And a little later, it was Gustav Vasa who, on his march to the throne—and after a nine-month siege—captured the thoroughly battered castle.
Gustav Vasa never rebuilt Örebro Castle, but both the city and the castle remained important during his reign. The Synod of Örebro in 1529 was a milestone on the path toward a Protestant Sweden, and in early 1540, Gustav Vasa effectively established the hereditary monarchy during a ceremony in what was then the Hall of State at the castle.
When Gustav Vasa dies of cholera (1560)his youngest soninheritsÖrebroCastle.DukeKarl, who eventually becomesKingKarl IX,is particularly fond ofFrench castles and launches anextensiverenovation project.The castleis to become larger, more modern, and more beautiful.Hurray!
the 17th century
Things are going well for Örebro. Business is booming, the city is growing and about 600 people can call themselves residents of Örebro. Today, the cityscape consists of St. Nicholas Church, the castle, and many low wooden houses that almost all are located along the main street.
The castle itself is on its way to new heights—at least in terms of appearance. Duke Karl is working hard to transform the old medieval castle into a magnificent Renaissance palace. The main building will now be as tall as the old tower. There is a massive and richly decorated cannon tower at each corner. And the entrance will feature both a gate tower and a wind bridge.
Of course, there was more going on at the palace than just construction. Between 1606 and 1617, no fewer than six Riksdags were held here. It was Charles IX (yes, Duke Charles had now become king) and his son Gustav II Adolf who presided over these sessions. The 1617 Riksdag was particularly significant, as it was then that the precursor to Sweden’s current parliamentary system was adopted. It was also the first time the new Hall of the Riksdag at Örebro Castle was used.
In 1625, all the carpenters, masons, and painters pack up their things. After more than 50 years of renovation, Örebro has finally gotten its very own Renaissance castle. But by then, Charles IX is already dead.
the 18th century
Örebro is still a small and fairly quiet town. Just over 2,000 people live here, most of them in wooden houses, although the occasional stone house can be seen. Trade with Bergslagen and Stockholm continues, and shipping is becoming increasingly important.
The castle began to fall into disrepair as early as the second half of the 17th century, but there was no talk of renovation. Not until the late 1750s. Until then, the castle was used for all sorts of purposes. Inside, there is everything from a detention cell and a prison to a rifle depot and a large granary.
Örebro Castle is now transitioning from the Renaissance to austere Classicism. The outer wall is being demolished, and in its place, the castle is gaining stone bridges and terraces. It also features an exclusive floor reserved for the county governor. The first in the line of county governors to move in was Johan Abraham Hamilton. Since then, the county governor of Örebro County has always resided on what is known as the “residence floor.”
the 19th century
The slim ones streets of Örebro are lined with wooden houses. It is crowded and in places certainly quite muddy for the city’s residents, who numbered just over 4,000 in the middle of the century. Trade in iron and grain declined, while the number of craftsmen grew. High towering above the houses the castle, newly renovated and transformed—from a fortress to an administrative building.
By the way, in the early 1800s, the notorious thief Lasse-Maja was quite active. He swindled, stole, and plundered, but also ended up in one of the castle’s dark dungeons. He managed to escape from there not once, but twice.
Its central location in the country, far from the coast where the Russians could attack, makes Örebro a perfect place for the Riksdag in 1810. As just isn't just any parliament. Here is elected French military Jean Baptiste Bernadotte (formerly a marshal under Napoleon) is chosen as heir to the Swedish throne. And the royals who are there, they are hanging of course on the castle.
But in March 1854, the unthinkable happened. A fire broke out at a dye works on the Svartån River. Nearly all of central Örebro burned to the ground, and a third of the city’s residents were left homeless. Fortunately, this disaster was followed by better times, largely thanks to the emerging new industries and the arrival of the railroad in the city.
the 20th century
The new shoe and cookie industry at the forefront means that Örebro is growing by leaps and bounds. At the beginning of the century, the population of Örebro was approaching 30,000 and new streets and neighborhoods are popping up in almost every direction.
It is also time to renovate the castle again. Partly because it’s needed. Partly because it “should look older.” Various eras inspire, and the castle gets a gable from the Middle Ages, spire caps à la 17th century and a Renaissance gable.Windows become loopholes again and the white plaster is chipped away. Historical romanticism is the word.
The interior of the palace is also adapting to the times. In the 1920s, the County Administrative Board began using increasingly larger sections of the building as offices. At the end of that decade, the 17th-century Hall of State was restored. At the same time, the Armory Hall received its impressive floor—featuring painted coats of arms from the noble families who had served as governors of the palace.
In the early 1990s, the County Administrative Board moved out of the castle. It was time for a renovation—and to restore its historical character. The small offices were transformed back into grand halls, and the plastic paints were replaced with more authentic lime paints.
the 2000s
Örebro continues to grow. By 2025, the municipality of Örebro will be home to over 160,000 residents. The once-vital shoe industry no longer exists. Today, Örebro is a place with a wide variety of industries and sectors, a growing university, and a wealth of creativity.
And the castle stands where it always has. On its island in the Svartån River, right in the heart of town. The big difference is that the castle’s halls and antechambers, terraces, and cellar vaults are no longer open only to a select few.
There are still offices and private businesses in certain parts of the castle, and of course the governor still lives in the residence. But Örebro Castle is also a well-known tourist destination, open year-round and filled with fun, exciting, and interesting experiences for visitors of all ages.
You're welcome here, too.