D for Drottningholm (ABC Wednesday)

All photos in this post are from either the Swedish Royal Court’s webpage or Wikimedia Commons.

The Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slott) is is one of Sweden's Royal Palaces and the private residence of the present royal family since 1981. It is located in Drottningholm (literally Queen’s islet) on the island Lovön in Mälaren on the outskirts of Stockholm.

Parts of the palace and grounds are open to the public.

Drottningholm is the most well-preserved royal castle built in the 1600s in Sweden and representative of all European architecture for the period.

Throughout the years the palace has changed and the royal personages who lived here have all left their mark on the palace's interiors – influenced by changes in style and fashion trends.

Hedvig Eleonora's state bedchamber was the heart of the state reception suite in the 1600s and was created by the country's foremost artists and craftsmen.

The Queen’s Library (private room) from 1760

The China Room from 1897, an exhibition room.

Since the reign of Johan III's in the late 1500s, there has been a palace garden at Drottningholm.

There is also an 18th century Theatre, still in use.
The Theatre auditorium remains unchanged since its completion in 1766.

Almost all of the equipment is original, and the stage is unusual for having a significantly greater depth than width. The operas are often performed by musicians wearing period costume, and the orchestra performs using period or copies of authentic instruments. Most productions demonstrate some of the possible stage effects using the original equipment.

The Chinese Pavilion (Kina slott) is from 1763-69.
The architecture is essentially rococo. It was intended to have an exotic character, containing Chinese elements which were then the highest fashion ▼

In 1991, UNESCO inscribed Drottningholm on the World Heritage list for the following reason: The ensemble of Drottningholm – palace, theatre, Chinese pavilion and gardens – is the best example of a royal residence built in the 18th century in Sweden and is representative of all European architecture of that period, heir to the influences exerted by the Chateau of Versailles on the construction of royal residences in western, central and northern Europe.

All photos in this post are from either the Swedish Royal Court’s webpage or Wikimedia Commons.

I have visited Drottningholm two or three times in the past but it was a long time ago now. I can’t remember if I was ever inside the castle; but I know I that have been inside the theatre (not attending a performance but on a guided tour) and the Chinese Pavillion.

This post is linked to ABC Wednesday