Gripsholm castle - a different perspective of Gustavian style

Gripsholm Castle

photo by: Anders Bengtsson, source: Flickr 

Today, I am taking you on a short journey to Gustavian style, which brought light not only to interior design but also to architecture.

A very good example where quite innovative solution of Gustavian style can be experienced is in Gripsholm Castle. This castle dates to medieval times and its innovation is hidden in the castle’s construction. At the end of XVIII century Gustav III decided to add an extra wing along the north side of the outer courtyard of the castle. 

Gripsholm Castle
with its extra wing behind the trees

photo by: Anders Bengtsson, source: Flickr 

Apparently, from the outside of the castle, the new wing reveals two stories. However, in reality between two rows of tall windows there are two additional stories, what makes a four-storey construction.

Painted wall panels and stove covered in tiles

Source: The Swedish Room by L. & U. Sjoberg and I. Snitt 

The purpose of this additional wing in the castle was to accommodate guests in the twenty-eight almost identical rooms. All of these rooms were similarly decorated in the Gustavian style. The walls of each room were covered with canvas panels presenting flowers. At the heart of each room there was a stove covered in white tiles with the blue flower pattern. The textile patterns repeated in the bed hanging panels and chairs.

A novelty in the Gripsholm Castle also introduced by Gustav III was a theater. Only a year after an additional wing to the castle was constructed, a big theatre was built in 1781. 

Theater - a novelty in the Gripsholm Castle   

photo: Nationalmuseum, source: Swedish Royal Court

Gustav’s interests in the theater lead king’s architect Palmstedt to create functional stage. The monumental construction was thoughtfully designed to host royal family but also other noble representatives and guests, as well as servants.