|
|
The
greatest testimonial to the history of Örbyhus Castle is probably
the tower. It was built in the 1450's when Örbyhus was owned by Johan
Christersson Vase, grandfather of king Gustav Vasa, The tower was built
for defensive purposes and it marks the beginning of the 200-year long
epoch of the Vasa dynasty at Örbyhus.
In 1548, Gustav Vasa acquired Örbyhus from his cousins. He made it an Uppland stronghold, complete with ramparts , moats and 54 feet tall stone walls encircling his grandfathers' tower. Inside the fortress, there are walkways and casemates were constructed with enough space for men and supplies to defend the castle for many years. The castle was never used for defence purposes, though. It was instead used as a state prison. National history at Örbyhus In December 1574, the dethroned Swedish King Erik XIV was transferred under very dramatic circumstances from the state prison in Västerås to Örbyhus in Uppland. The transfer was caried out very abruptly. It was ordered by Johan III, Erik's half-brother and succesor as king, since there had been several attempts that year to free the dethroned Erik. At that time Örbyhus was in a very poor repair. The main tower e.g. had no roof, but the castle nevertheless now went down in Swedish history as the unfortunate King's last place of residence. In february 1577, Erik was poisoned to death by his half-brother King Johan. Modern research has shown that Erik died of arsenic poisoning. During the three years that Erik was held prisoner at Örbyhus several attempts were made to free him. Only a few weeks after his arrival at the castle a conspiracy among Uppland peasants was discovered. They were planning to disarm the castle guard of forty men, after having been let into the courtyard with the cattle and the corn they owed to the Crown. It was probably because of such disturbances that king Johan decided to get rid of Erik. Shortly after yet another conspiracy, this time planned by a clergyman from Västergötland, an announcement was made from the pulpits in the Stockholm City Church that Erik had died in the prison at Örby Stenhus on 25 February 1577, at the age of 43. Örbyhus continued to be used as a prison untill Gustav Banér, Governor of Västergötland, in 1641 acquired Örbyhus and had it rebuilt into a baroque style palace. Beautiful gardens aqueducts, fountains and walkways were created. The coat of arms of both Banér and his wife,Sofia Christina Cruus,are still adorning the east facade. In the early part of the eighteenth century, Örbyhus Castle was owned by de Geer of Leufsta. He made both Leufsta and Örbyhus an estate in tail in favour of his nephew, the scholar Charles de Geer. For the next two centuries, the names of de Geer, von Platen, de la Gardie, Klingspor and Barnekow all left their mark on Örbyhus. In 1900the castle was purchased by Count Carl Gustaf von Rosen and in the same year it was passed to his son Count Eugene von Rosen who proceeded to carry out extensive restoration works and lavish furnishings. |
|
