Drottningskärs kastell
Well-preserved fortress from the Swedish Empire period (Age of Greatness) on Aspö in the Karlskrona archipelago, part of the World Heritage Site Örlogsstaden Karlskrona, with guided tours and a restaurant in summer.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Drottningskärs kastell was built to protect the entrance to the naval base at Karlskrona. After Blekinge became Swedish in 1658, Karl XI moved the navy from Stockholm and founded Karlskrona, and in 1679–1680 he commissioned the fortifications officer Erik Dahlbergh to fortify the islands at the entrance. On the skerry Dynan off Aspö, a donjon with room for 60 cannons and four bastions was planned.
Work continued from 1680 to 1769. The fortress consists of an elongated donjon of granite and limestone with a cannon battery on top, and quarters and powder magazines further down. The bastions are named after four Swedish queens: Maria, Christina, Hedvig and Ulrica. In the inner courtyard stands the newer commandant’s residence from the 1720s and 1730s.
The castle was never attacked or modernised and is therefore unusually well preserved. In 1895 it ceased to be an active fortification, but during the First World War it was for a time used as a temporary coastal artillery battery. The property is owned by Statens fastighetsverk (the Swedish National Property Board), which since the 1990s has restored parts of the complex. Today the castle is a visitor destination with guided tours, activities for children and a restaurant in summer.
Highlights
- The donjon with its cannon battery from the 17th century
- The four bastions named after Swedish queens
- The commandant’s residence in the inner courtyard
- Part of the World Heritage Site Örlogsstaden Karlskrona
- Free ferry trip from Karlskrona to Aspö
- Founded
- 1680
- Operated by
- Karlskrona kommun (verksamhet); Statens fastighetsverk (fastighetsägare)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children aged 0–18. |
Free admission: Free admission during the World Heritage Festival and the autumn break 2026 (28–31 October), as well as on the weekends in September.
Adults SEK 50 during the season 1 June–31 August 2026. Visitors who are only going to Kastellets Krog (the castle restaurant) and boat passengers passing through the castle to and from the jetty have free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessibility information is not published on the municipality’s website. The castle is a historic fortress with cobblestones, ramparts and stairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Children can take on the Kommendantens utmaning (Commandant’s Challenge), build the castle with blocks or play historical roles.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From central Karlskrona a free road ferry (Aspöleden) runs to Aspö; the crossing takes just under 25 minutes. In summer, archipelago boats also serve the island and pass the castle.
Aspö has no permanent road link. You can leave the car in central Karlskrona and cycle on the island.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
Kastellets Krog (the castle restaurant) serves food in summer.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The castle can be hired for weddings and meetings; enquiries go to drottningskarskastell@karlskrona.se.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours and events are arranged during the season; the programme is published on the Visit Karlskrona website. |
