King Eriksson expands and the castle gets into fights
No one really knows how old the castle is. Probably the oldest part of the castle is a medieval stone house, which later grows with a defense tower over 30 meters high. The tower, in turn, is surrounded by a seven meter high and three meter thick ring wall.
However, we know one other thing for sure. In the middle of the 14th century, a larger castle was added, probably built by King Magnus Eriksson. The castle is then called Örebrohus and consists of three residential wings in three floors placed around the old tower.
The Middle Ages were not a peaceful time for Örebrohus. Up until 1568, the castle was besieged a total of nine times. In 1434, Engelbrekt occupies the castle and moves in to use it as his own residence.
Others who have succeeded in the difficult task of capturing the castle include the bloodthirsty King Christian II, perhaps better known as Christian the Tyrant, and Gustavus Vasa who, on his march to the throne in 1522, finally took the battered castle after a nine-month siege.
Gustav Vasa before the Inheritance Court and Duke Karl inherits his father's house
Gustav Vasa never rebuilt Örebrohus. But both the town and the castle remain important during his time on the throne. The Church Council in Örebro in 1529 is a milestone on the way to a Protestant Sweden, and on New Year's Day 1540, Gustavus Vasa effectively introduces the archbishopric during a ceremony in the then Rikssalen at the castle.
When Gustav Vasa died 20 years later, his youngest son inherited the castle. In 1573, Duke Karl, who later became King Karl IX, began a massive rebuilding and extension of the castle, but this was not completed until 1625, just over 50 years later.
Duke Charles himself is primarily responsible for the building's appearance. He took his inspiration from the Renaissance castles he visited during his travels in France and elsewhere. The old medieval castle is transformed into a magnificent Renaissance castle with a main building as high as the old tower. The castle is equipped with a powerful gun turret at each corner, plastered in a yellow-white tone and richly decorated. At the entrance, Duke Charles erected a massive gate tower and a drawbridge, and the entire castle was surrounded by a ring wall, which is still partially preserved on the north side of the castle.
Even before the castle is fully completed, it once again takes center stage. During the period 1606-1617, a total of six parliaments were held at the palace, led by Charles IX and his son Gustav II Adolf. Perhaps the most important is the Riksdag of 1617, when the predecessor of Sweden's current parliamentary system was adopted.
The governor moves in, Lasse-Maja sneaks out and Bernadotte gets the crown
During the latter half of the 17th century, the castle began to fall into disrepair and, although it was in a very bad state, no renovation was undertaken until the end of the 1750s.
Örebro Castle is now being transformed into an austere classicist castle with almost flat roofs. The ring wall is being demolished and replaced by stone bridges and terraces, all preserved to this day. They are also building an exclusive floor for the governor - a residence that is still used by the governors of Örebro County.
The castle has several uses during this period, including as a prison and detention center, rifle depot and granary.
It is here in the clashes that the convict Lasse-Maja plays his pranks and in unlikely ways enters and escapes from the dark dungeons of the castle.
In 1810, Örebro was once again in the spotlight when Napoleon's marshal and not so best friend, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, was elected heir to the Swedish throne at a parliament in Örebro. That alone is a long and winding story in itself. The palace then serves as a residence for the royals, while St. Nicolai's Church at Stortorget in Örebro serves as the hall of state where progenitor Bernadotte becomes Charles XIV Johan.
The castle gets its current look
A historical-romantic rebuilding at the end of the 19th century gave Örebro Castle its current appearance. The corner towers are given new domed roofs, according to a slightly romanticized view of how the towers looked in Duke Karl's time. The plaster is knocked off and the two western towers are raised one storey.
The interior of the castle has been rebuilt several times since then. In the 1920s, the County Administrative Board took over larger and larger parts and used them as offices. At the end of the same decade, the governor's floor was renovated and the old 18th-century furnishings were brought out. At around the same time, the Hall of State, the Hall of Arms and the Engelbrekt Room were furnished.
At the beginning of the 1990s, the County Administrative Board leaves the castle, which now undergoes extensive interior renovation. The small offices are restored to the large halls they once were and plastic paints are replaced with lime paints. It was time to restore the old.
Thousands of visitors every year
Today, the castle is a living and open cultural heritage in the middle of the city. Beautiful to look at, fun to experience. Things happen here all year round in the castle's historic halls, dark dungeons and in the children's very own tower.
Do what tens of thousands of other visitors do every year. Book your own event at the castle, take a captivating tour, visit a popular history exhibition or take part in some of the castle's other festive activities for companies, associations, adults and children.
