Statens porträttsamling
The world's oldest national portrait gallery, in the Vasa castle Gripsholm by Lake Mälaren, with more than 800 portraits, castle rooms and Gustav III's theatre.
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About the museum
The Svenska statens porträttsamling (Swedish State Portrait Collection) is kept at Gripsholms slott (Gripsholm Castle) in Mariefred and is counted as the world's oldest national portrait gallery. The collection today comprises about 5,000 works, mostly oil paintings, and more than 800 of them hang in the castle. The foundation was laid in the 16th century under Gustav Vasa, who had works of art brought to his newly built castle; in 1548 there were 98 paintings there, 23 of which were portraits.
Later several galleries of contemporary princes were added, among them the Rikssalen (Hall of State) under Charles IX and the Vita Salongen (White Salon), which Gustav III had created in the 1770s and 1780s. In the second half of the 17th century the Dowager Queen Hedvig Eleonora contributed about 200 portraits, most of them of relatives. The portraits show significant people from the time of Gustav Vasa up to our own day.
Gripsholms slott was built in the 16th century at Gustav Vasa's initiative and holds four centuries of interiors and art. Well-preserved rooms from the Vasa era are here, the most famous being Hertig Karls kammare (Duke Karl's Chamber), and Gustav III's theatre is in one of the round Renaissance towers. The castle is managed by the Kungliga Hovstaterna (Royal Court), and the portrait collection is shown as part of a visit to the castle.
Highlights
- More than 800 portraits from the Swedish State Portrait Collection
- Hertig Karls kammare and a Vasa-era private room
- Gustav III's theatre in one of the castle's round towers
- Rikssalen and Vita Salongen with galleries of princes
- John-Erik Franzén's portrait of the royal family at the entrance
- Barnens Gripsholm with picture hunts and family tours
Permanent exhibitions
- Svenska statens porträttsamling – The oldest national portrait gallery in the world, with more than 800 portraits in the castle, from the time of Gustav Vasa to our own day.
- Slottets salar – Four centuries of interiors and art, including Hertig Karls kammare and Gustav III's theatre.
- Founded
- 1822
- Operated by
- Kungliga Hovstaterna / Nationalmuseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 170 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 150Students |
| Children & teens | SEK 85free up to age 6 · Children aged 7–17 pay SEK 85; children aged 0–6 have free admission in the company of an adult. The minimum age for visiting without an adult is 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Assistants and companions have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 150 |
| Groups | –Group tours can be booked; the castle is open to pre-booked groups all year round. |
| Family tour (children aged 6–10, about 45 minutes) | SEK 40In addition to the standard admission ticket; up to 35 people per tour. |
| Kungliga slottens årskort (annual pass) | SEK 500Valid for adults, students and children, and gives admission to the royal visitor sites. |
The Kulturarvskortet gives 50% off admission. Free admission for, among others, authorised guides, members of Gripsholmsföreningen and the Friends of the National Museums, and the press with press credentials, upon showing a card on site.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
There is no lift or ramp, and the castle has many stairs and three floors. The Slottsboden and the Modellkammaren are reached at ground level from the park side. An accessible toilet is at the car park (open 1 May–30 September 09:00–16:30), and a parking space for people with disabilities is at the visitor car park. Assistance and guide dogs are welcome. An easy-read version of the visitor information is on the website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Family tours for children aged 6–10 (about 45 minutes, SEK 40 extra) are offered during the season and in school holidays. A free picture hunt is collected at the ticket desk and suits children of all ages. Prams suited to the castle's surroundings can be borrowed; your own prams are parked outside the entrance or in the Sjöportsvalvet.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
SJ train to Läggesta station, then a connecting bus (Sörmlandstrafiken) about 4 km to Mariefred. In summer a steamboat runs from Stockholm to Mariefred, and the Östra Södermanlands järnvägs museum train also runs.
By car
Free parking
Free parking for cars and buses at the entrance to the castle; permitted parking 06:00–23:00.
- Accessible parking
The castle lies on Lake Mälaren in Mariefred, about seven Swedish mil (about 70 km) from Stockholm. By car from Stockholm or Eskilstuna: E20, exit 139 towards Mariefred and Gripsholms slott.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers: not available
The Kungliga Slottsboden shop. There are no storage facilities; bags and rucksacks must be carried at the front of the body. Gripsholms Värdshus is nearby.
Events & venue rental
Outdoor events at Gripsholm can be booked via event@kungahuset.se.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for private use is permitted without flash, tripod or selfie stick. |
| Good to know | The castle can be explored on your own or on a guided tour. From May to September a guided castle tour runs daily at 12:00 and 14:00 in Swedish and at 15:00 in English. Private viewings of the portrait collection can be booked for associations and groups. |
