The Echoes of History Shape the Small-Town Charm of Mariefred
In the well-preserved town center, you’ll find many small shops, restaurants, and cafés. Here, you can stroll through narrow alleys lined with charming 18th- and 19th-century houses. Beautiful gardens with apple trees stretching their gnarled branches over colorful garden fences, cobbled streets, and hollyhocks are all synonymous with Mariefred’s historic center.
You can enjoy world-class dining and coffee, visit cozy shops and galleries, and of course, you must not miss the landmark attraction—Gripsholm Castle and its fascinating history. Right in the middle of town stands the railway station with its turrets and towers, home to the Museum Railway with its vintage steam locomotives that are still in operation.
Down by the harbor is the Callanderska Farm, the town’s local heritage museum. It’s a traditional dyer’s homestead from the 1780s with a beautiful garden. Gripsholm Inn enjoys a picturesque location overlooking the harbor and Gripsholm Castle. Here, you can eat and drink well, with both an outdoor dining area and a bar set in its lovely garden. If you wish to stay overnight, you can choose from royal suites to family rooms. At the town square, you’ll find the POM Gallery, which showcases new young art. Here, you can see the stars of tomorrow—during peak season, it is open daily.
The Town’s Main Attraction is, of Course, Gripsholm Castle
The castle was built in the 16th century on the initiative of Gustav Vasa. Many rooms from that era are still well-preserved, the most famous being the Chamber of Duke Karl. Among the highlights is Gustav III’s Theatre, which the “theatre king” had installed in one of the castle’s round Renaissance towers. Gripsholm Castle is internationally renowned for its vast portrait collection.
In the castle park, you can take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a picnic, and visit the beautiful orangery. Children are especially welcome at Gripsholm Castle. Here you’ll find dungeons, an armory, cannons, and even a stuffed lion. You can explore the Vasa fortress Gripsholm at your own pace, but joining a guided castle tour adds so much more to the experience. The Gripsholm family tour is designed for children aged 6–10, but is just as entertaining for accompanying adults.
You can also take a walk along the harbor and admire all the beautiful boats. On the site of the former monastery Pax Mariae stands Mariefred Church, perched on a high hill in the center of town. Here you’ll also find the Sten Sture Stone, erected in memory of the monastery’s founder.
Have you read the PAX books and want to see the settings where these popular young adult novels take place? Take a walk through Mariefred using the PAX Map. The PAX Walk is also available as an audio tour.
Read more at:
Gripsholm Castle: https://www.kungligaslotten.se/vara-besoksmal/gripsholms-slott.html
Gripsholm Inn: https://www.gripsholms-vardshus.se
PAX Walk: https://www.strangnas.se/uppleva-och-gora/turism/se-och-gora/aktiviteter-for-barn/pax-vandring
Sights in Mariefred: https://www.strangnas.se/uppleva-och-gora/turism/se-och-gora/sevardheter/sevardheter-i-mariefred
