Vadstena Castle

The castle was built as a fortification by Gustav Vasa in the 1500s' to protect Stockholm from Danish invasions. In 1555 his son inherited the castle and transformed it into a palace.

On 17 December 1559, the 19 year old daughter of Gustav Vasa, princess Cecillia Vasa, was caught with Johan of East Frisia in her bedroom in the castle. Johan was thrown into prison and the stories are saying that he was castrated upon orders of Duke Erik, the first born son of Gustav Vasa. This event is called the "Vadstena buzz" (Vadstena bullret) as the royal family could not keep the event private and it became a notorius scandal that spread in the population.

The International Vadstena Academy, the Sweden's smallest opera house, commissioning new operas and reviving lost operas from archival scores is located in the castle. During the summer season, concerts are organised.

The castle organ was biult in 1746, originally with wooden pipes that were replaced by metal pipes at a later stage. Note that playing the organ was in need of someone activating the organ bellows by stepping on the pedals (left pictures) while holding the bar with hands.