Gustav III:s antikmuseum

About the museum

During his grand tour of Italy in 1783–1784, Gustav III bought a couple of hundred antique sculptures and objects, among them Apollo, the nine Muses and the Sleeping Endymion. The collection was originally intended to decorate the king’s planned palace at Haga, but was placed in Stockholm Palace instead.

After the king’s death in 1792, the government decided to establish a museum as a memorial to him. The museum, then called Kongl. Museum, opened in October 1794 in the north-eastern wing of the palace and was one of the first art museums in Northern Europe. It was owned by the state and was therefore not the king’s private collection.

In the 19th century contemporary sculpture and painting were also shown here. When Nationalmuseum opened in 1866, the collections were moved there, and the premises were then used by the Royal Library (Kungliga biblioteket) and Livrustkammaren, and later as storage. The museum reopened in 1958 under the name Gustav III:s antikmuseum, and ahead of the 200th anniversary in 1992 the two stone galleries were restored on the basis of surviving images and drawings.

Today the sculptures are displayed as they were originally arranged, with the additions made in the 18th century preserved. The museum consists of a larger and a smaller stone gallery facing the Logården.

Highlights

• The Sleeping Endymion, the king’s most expensive acquisition
• Apollo and the nine Muses
• Two stone galleries from the 1790s
• The sculptures arranged as they were at the opening in 1794
• Virtual 360-degree view of the large stone gallery

Permanent exhibition

• Gustav III:s antikmuseum – The king’s collection of antique sculptures is shown in two stone galleries, arranged as they were when the museum opened in 1794.

Founded

1794

Operated by

Ståthållarämbetet (lokalerna) och Nationalmuseum (samlingen)

Admission & discounts

The museum is included in the ticket to the Royal Palace. The prices refer to the ticket to the Royal Palace: from May to September it costs SEK 240 for adults, SEK 220 for students and SEK 120 for children aged 7–17. Free admission for, among others, assistants/companions and ICOM members; the Kulturarvskort gives a 50% discount.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Entrance from Lejonbacken on the north-east side (towards Skeppsbron). There is no lift, and from the entrance a steep staircase of ten steps with a handrail leads to the museum.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is at Lejonbacken on the north-eastern side of the palace.

Amenities & dining

Toilets, lockers and the shop Kungliga Slottsboden are located at the Tickets & Information desk in the Outer Courtyard (Yttre borggården).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit