Svaneholm castle ruin

Archaological site

On a headland in Kilarpesjön in the Västra Harg forests lies a medieval castle ruin. During the Middle Ages, the site where it stood was on an islet surrounded by water and marshes. The castle was part of the struggle for power in Sweden in the 1360s.

The mid-14th century was a tumultuous time. King Magnus Eriksson's power was questioned by both the nobility and his own family members. At this time, the king had the strong fortress Svaneholm built by Lake Kilarpesjön. We know this from a letter written by King Magnus's son and co-regent, King Håkan Magnusson, in which he relieves the peasants of Vreta monastery from labor duties at Svaneholm.

In 1363, the Swedish nobles turned to Albrecht the Great of Mecklenburg and offered the Swedish crown to his son Albrecht. When he was elected king the following year, the castle was taken by Albrecht's German soldiers. It is likely after this event that the castle also came to be known as Garpe Castle. Garpe was a common term for Germans during the Middle Ages. The castle seems to have had no function thereafter and was allowed to fall into disrepair.

Today, the castle ruin consists of remnants of a central tower with surrounding walls, as well as a moat and earthworks. The round tower is made of grey stone, and at the bottom, the walls are up to five meters thick. The tower is currently about ten meters high. How tall it once was is unknown, but certainly more floors than we see today. The upper parts of the tower, as well as the outer shell of the tower wall, have collapsed and form a steep hill with the tower at the center.

A sign towards the Svaneholm castle ruin is located along county road 596 between Västra Harg and Spellinge manor. Turn off and follow the gravel road for about 850 meters to the visitor parking lot. From the parking lot to the castle is approximately 600 meters.

Please note that the gravel road has a gate that is kept locked during the winter season. The gate reopens in late spring after the frost has melted. There is a small parking pocket next to the gate for a slightly longer walk to the castle ruin.