Skoklosters slott

About the museum

Skokloster Castle on the Skohalvön peninsula by Lake Mälaren was built in the Age of Greatness by the Lord High Admiral and Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Wrangel and his wife Anna Margareta von Haugwitz. Building went on for over thirty years, but the castle was never completely finished, because the craftsmen left the work when Wrangel died in 1676. Much of the interior and many of the objects from the 17th century therefore remain in place.

The site previously held a Cistercian convent for nuns. After Wrangel the castle was owned by several families, among them the Brahe and von Essen families, across fourteen generations in total. Over time new collections were added, and the castle became a setting in which furniture, paintings, textiles and weapons from several centuries have been preserved.

The state bought the castle in 1967, and since then the museum has been part of the agency Statens historiska museer. The collection comprises more than 50,000 objects, among them three weapons collections, arts and crafts, ceramics, a large book collection and Arcimboldo's painting Vertumnus. The building and park are managed by Statens fastighetsverk (the Swedish National Property Board).

Highlights

• The state floor with its original 17th-century interior
• Arcimboldo's painting Vertumnus
• Three weapons collections and the Wrangelska rustkammaren
• The book collection with works from the 16th to the 19th century
• The permanent exhibition Drömmar om Skokloster on the ground floor
• The castle park with lime avenues and a historic apple orchard

Permanent exhibition

• Drömmar om Skokloster – mellan slagfältet och stjärnhimlen – The museum's permanent exhibition on the ground floor shows the castle's best-known objects from four centuries, including paintings, books, costumes and celestial globes.

Founded

1967

Operated by

Statens historiska museer

Admission & discounts

The audio guide is free. When buying tickets via Tickster, a service fee of SEK 10 per purchase applies. Tickets from Go City, Tiqets and GetYourGuide are valid as admission; a tour costs SEK 50 extra.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor, with the shop and the permanent exhibition Drömmar om Skokloster, is reached by a ramp at the main entrance. The castle has four floors without a lift, 32 steps between each floor, and handrails in the stairwells; folding chairs can be borrowed. Visitors who cannot climb stairs can get an equivalent tour of the exhibition on the ground floor. An accessible toilet with a changing table is on the ground floor, but there is no automatic door opener. Two disabled parking spaces are by the castle. The upper floors have no lighting, and the castle has no heating.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Free admission for children and young people under 19. The audio guide has a family trail (recommended from about age 6), and the castle safari for children costs SEK 50 in the shop. The outdoor play park Paradiset is free and always open. Pushchairs may not be taken into the floors and are left at the entrance.

Getting there & parking

By car from Stockholm it is about 66 km via the E18 and the exit at Bro (county roads 269/263); from Uppsala about 49 km via road 255 and county road 263. In summer there is a jetty for your own boat (free of charge, for a maximum of one day).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The castle shop is on the ground floor. Skokloster Kafferosteri & Café is near the car park, and a coffee cart stands by the church in summer. Large bags and rucksacks can be left in free lockers outside the visitor toilets; pushchairs and umbrellas can be left at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

The Portiken and Gamla köket on the ground floor can be hired for small weddings and mingling (around 60 people standing); other rooms for photography and filming by arrangement. Food and drink only in the Portiken and Gamla köket.

Plan your visit