‘Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie is an unparalleled spendthrift, spending enormous sums on his furniture, his gardens, and his construction company’
Protecting natural and cultural values A natural starting point for a visit to Läckö Castle is Naturum Vänerskärgården Victoriahuset, with design inspiration from Lake Vänern’s delicate reeds and raw driftwood. The building, designed by White Arkitekter, was built as a symbolic gift to Crown Princess Victoria on her thirtieth birthday. With its lovely location, it is a beautiful and welcome complement to Läckö Castle. In addition to the exhibition on nature and culture by Läckö Castle, Victoriahuset has a Visitor Centre, a reading corner, a restaurant and a conference facility with accommodation. Sweden has about 30 Naturum information centres, most of which are in or very near popular areas, typically national parks and nature reserves. A Naturum provides information about the nature and culture of an area in a factual and entertaining way.
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agnus Gabriel De la Gardie wants to start building immediately. Unlike his predecessors, he has no need for defence. He needs to make a statement, to declare that he belongs to an old family, that he has financial and political ambitions. That Sweden is a major, successful power. He wants both an ancient family castle, and a modern baroque palace, a lavish setting for a highly educated and extremely wealthy individual. For a prince. This will require greater uniformity and symmetry, concludes the honourable count, and he tasks the builder Matthias Holl with designing a proposal for the renovation. The new master of Läckö would spend 20 years adding on to his castle. He has the residential suites decorated in accordance with the times – lighter, comfier, and easier to heat, with ceiling paintings, panelling, tapestries and beautifully carved mantels. A proper library for a gentleman, and rooms for parties and entertainment.
k ult urvä r de n s p e c i a l e di t ion
The power of God has been granted at Läckö, and castle society is built on a firm order. The Count and Countess command a grand household. Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie is an unparalleled spendthrift, spending enormous sums on his furniture, his gardens, and his construction company. He is also a family man who loves his wife and children, whom he loves to spoil. Today it is 29 August. What year? Well, 1670 of course, mutters Kierstin Mickelsdotter. She is a lady-in-waiting and a member of the huge staff at Läckö. And guests are expected tonight, as usual. The count throws fabulous parties, and Kierstin sighs as she signs for yet another linen cloth from the linen chamber. Perhaps she thinks the count will need something for his headache in the morning. She does not only have excellent skills when it comes to caring for linens, comforters and sheets. She also takes care of a variety of household remedies, and gathers herbs and spices for medicines for castle dwellers and servants. Läckö has three gardens located around the castle that combine beauty and utility. Fruit trees, herb beds and vegetables grow