Halmstad Castle

Built on the orders of King Christian of Denmark

In the early seventeenth century when Halmstad Castle was built, Halland still belonged to Denmark. King Christian, who ruled Denmark, had many towns, castles and fortresses built in his kingdom during his reign, and it was he who also ordered the building of Halmstad Castle.

In Danish architectural history, King Christian IV has lent his name to the style of architecture known as Christian IV Renaissance and Halmstad Castle is characteristic of this unique style of building, exemplified by the narrow high tower with its pinnacle.

Similar to Danish country houses of the period

The castle, which was probably completed in 1615, consists of four wings around a courtyard. It is likely that the southern wing was the first to be built and it is here that the royal family lived. Halmstad Castle was built as a country residence for entertainment and relaxation. It is more reminiscent of Danish country houses of the period than a large, imposing royal palace.

In Swedish hands

However, the Danish crown was unable to relax in Halmstad for very long. In 1645 Halland became Swedish and the castle became the residence of the Swedish kings when visiting the town.

The castle has been restored several times between the 1770s and the present day. In the 1760s the saddleback roofs on the southern and western wings were replaced with the typical eighteenth-century split mansard roofs which remain today. In the 1960s the castle's yellow façade introduced in the eighteenth century was replaced by a pinkish shade which was intended to be reminiscent of the original colour used in the time of King Christian IV.

Continental surrealism

In 1920-35 the castle played a role in modern Swedish art history. The county governor at the time was Axel Mörners and his son Stellan was one of six members of the Halmstad group, which represented continental surrealism in Sweden. Stellan Mörner and Esaias Thorén were allowed to decorate the large salon with ten eighteenth-century style friezes depicting goddesses. These symbolise the Roman virtues; hope, happiness, faith, chastity, temperance, charity, justice, fortitude, truth and wisdom. In the 1960s the friezes were wallpapered over but a section around a door was revealed again in 1975.

Now the goddesses once more gaze down over their guests in the great salon

In autumn 2000 the National Property Board decided to restore the salon and discovered that the friezes were still there under the wallpaper. When the wallpaper was removed it was found that the fabric of the wall had retained the colour of the bright oil paint well. The paintings were restored by expert Per Torstensson. At the same time the National Property Board's interiors architect Carita Kull thoroughly renovated and added to the fixtures and furnishings. The restoration work was completed in spring 2001.

Today Halmstad Castle houses the county governor's residence and premises for the County Administration. South of the castle is the castle park including some remains of the fortifications built in the early seventeenth century to designs by Hans van Steenwinckel the Elder.

External links

The County Administrative Board, Halmstad