Kronoberg Castle
Encyclopedia
Kronoberg Castle is a medieval ruin located on an island in lake Helgasjön
, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the town of Växjö
in Småland
, Sweden
. Kronoberg County
, in which it is located, was named after the castle.
In 1444 Lars Mikaelson, the bishop of Växjö
, built a stone building on the lakeshore. During the Dano-Swedish War
of 1470-1471, Danish
forces destroyed the house. It was reconstructed and fortified after peace was restored in 1472. During the Swedish Reformation
the castle and its estate were confiscated by Gustavus I.
In 1542, during the Dacke War
, Kronoberg was taken over by rebels led by Nils Dacke
. The revolt was suppressed in 1543, and control reverted to the crown. Due to its stategic location near the border between Sweden and Denmark at the time, the castle was further fortified, and became a stronghold in this part of Småland.
The king's son John III
ordered additional improvements that never were carried out. The castle had great military significance during the Northern Seven Years War (1564-1570). In the winter of 1568, Eric XIV
used Kronoborg as a support point while beating back a Danish attack from Skåne. In 1570 the castle was successfully besieged and burned by the Danes. Between 1576 and 1580 construction continued, after which the castle had at least 50 cannon. Duke Charles
continued work on the fortifications, but in the end of January 1612 the castle was again taken and burned by Danish troops under Breide Rantzau. Reconstruction was not started until 1616.
As late as the reign of Charles XI
Kronoberg castle was in good condition. However, after the Treaty of Roskilde
was signed in 1658, the Swedish-Danish border was moved to Øresund, and Kronoberg castle lost its miliary significance. Neglected, the building began to decay and became a ruin.
The castle ruin is open to tourists in the summer months. It is located just short drive from Växjö
, Sweden
.
Helgasjön
Lake Helgasjön is a lake in Växjö Municipality in Kronobergs län in southern Småland.The lake is situated 162 meters above sea level. Its area is 50 square km.By the lake Kronoberg Castle is situated....
, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the town of Växjö
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
in Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Kronoberg County
Kronoberg County
Kronoberg County is a County or län in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Skåne, Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar and Blekinge. Its capital is the city Växjö.- Province :For History, Geography and Culture see: Småland...
, in which it is located, was named after the castle.
In 1444 Lars Mikaelson, the bishop of Växjö
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
, built a stone building on the lakeshore. During the Dano-Swedish War
Dano-Swedish War (1470–1471)
The Dano-Swedish War was the first war between Denmark and Sweden. The Danes invaded Sweden by sea, but were defeated early at the Battle of Brunkeberg, in which King Christian I of Denmark was wounded by a cannon ball...
of 1470-1471, Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
forces destroyed the house. It was reconstructed and fortified after peace was restored in 1472. During the Swedish Reformation
Swedish Reformation
The Protestant reformation in Sweden was introduced beginning in 1527 during the reign of king Gustav I of Sweden. The Swedish reformation ment the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the foundation of the Swedish Church. It is considered the ending point of the Swedish Middle Ages. The...
the castle and its estate were confiscated by Gustavus I.
In 1542, during the Dacke War
Dacke War
Dackefejden was a peasant uprising led by Nils Dacke in Småland, Sweden, in 1542 against the rule of Gustav Vasa. Dacke and his followers were dissatisfied with the heavy burden of the taxes, the introduction of lutheranism and the confiscations of the churches property...
, Kronoberg was taken over by rebels led by Nils Dacke
Nils Dacke
Nils Dacke was the leader of a 16th century peasant revolt in Småland, southern Sweden called the Dacke War , fought against the Swedish king Gustav I. It was the most widespread and serious civil war in Swedish history and almost toppled the king.-Background:Gustav Vasa had come to power at the...
. The revolt was suppressed in 1543, and control reverted to the crown. Due to its stategic location near the border between Sweden and Denmark at the time, the castle was further fortified, and became a stronghold in this part of Småland.
The king's son John III
John III of Sweden
-Family:John married his first wife, Catherine Jagellonica of Poland , house of Jagiello, in Vilnius on 4 October 1562. In Sweden, she is known as Katarina Jagellonica. She was the sister of king Sigismund II Augustus of Poland...
ordered additional improvements that never were carried out. The castle had great military significance during the Northern Seven Years War (1564-1570). In the winter of 1568, Eric XIV
Eric XIV of Sweden
-Family and descendants:Eric XIV had several relationships before his marriage. With Agda Persdotter he had four daughters:#Margareta Eriksdotter , married 1592 to Olov Simonsson, vicar of Horn....
used Kronoborg as a support point while beating back a Danish attack from Skåne. In 1570 the castle was successfully besieged and burned by the Danes. Between 1576 and 1580 construction continued, after which the castle had at least 50 cannon. Duke Charles
Charles IX of Sweden
Charles IX of Sweden also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1604 until his death. He was the youngest son of King Gustav I of Sweden and his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud, brother of Eric XIV and John III of Sweden, and uncle of Sigismund III Vasa king of both Sweden and Poland...
continued work on the fortifications, but in the end of January 1612 the castle was again taken and burned by Danish troops under Breide Rantzau. Reconstruction was not started until 1616.
As late as the reign of Charles XI
Charles XI of Sweden
Charles XI also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death, in a period in Swedish history known as the Swedish empire ....
Kronoberg castle was in good condition. However, after the Treaty of Roskilde
Treaty of Roskilde
The Treaty of Roskilde was concluded on 26 February or 8 March 1658 during the Second Northern War between Frederick III of Denmark–Norway and Charles X Gustav of Sweden in the Danish city of Roskilde...
was signed in 1658, the Swedish-Danish border was moved to Øresund, and Kronoberg castle lost its miliary significance. Neglected, the building began to decay and became a ruin.
The castle ruin is open to tourists in the summer months. It is located just short drive from Växjö
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.