Wednesday, 13 August - Part 3
Torpa Stenhus
Our last stop on the trip was an old castle between Ulricehamn and Borås - Torpa Stenhus (literally: stone house). We've been there together before, and I've also visited it a few times with other friends.
I'm starting off with a photo of the castle taken back in August 2022, because this time I failed to get a front view of the castle itself. The weather and time of year was pretty much the same then as now, though!
View of the lake from where we parked the car. (The castle is up the hill to the left.)
The castle is only shown by guided tours, and just at the same time as we arrived, so did a bus full of tourists with a pre-booked tour... So we did not go inside on this occasion. (Besides, I seem to recall from the last time that they don't allow photography indoors anyway...)
History (From the castle's website)
The first part of castle was built around 1470. The wealthy bourgeoisie of the time asserted economic interest in the trade along the prosperous shores of River Ätran and River Viskan. The end of the 15th century were unsettled times. Not only came the threats from Danish troops; local peasants revolted frequently. The first building was as much a defense and trade construction as a permanent residence for the Castle owner and his family.
During the 16th century the building was reconstructed and an extension was added. Initially, the stairway tower was constructed and later the southern part of the Castle was added. The extension was completed around 1550 and served as a dignified enough residence for [King] Gustav Vasa’s brother-in-law and father-in-law, Gustav Olofsson Stenbock. With its unique architecture and beautiful interiors Torpa Stenhus counts among the best preserved medieval castles of the nation. - The castle has never been sold but has been passed on through the generations by inheritance.
In the cellar of the castle, they have a shop selling local arts and crafts. I snapped a few photos of things on display there:
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| (This one is for Ginny...) |
This is a big heavy "life size" painted stone cat, which managed to bewitch my brother to bring it home with him. No doubt the heaviest souvenir he ever bought! (At least on our travels together...)
For my own part, I settled for a much smaller painted stone item: A fridge magnet...
Before leaving, we also had something to eat and drink at the café in the barn.
▲ A couple of other buildings on the premises. ▼
Finishing off with different view of the castle from back in 2012 (when we were there on a cloudy day).
Linking to Weekend/Street Reflections #242
Torpa Stenhus seems to hold its history as tangibly in its walls as in the crafts of its cellar, where the past and present quietly meet.
ReplyDeleteRo, it is indeed a place that has seen a lot of history.
DeleteWas the lake already there when the castle was built? If yes, it afforded the inhabitants a beautiful view.
ReplyDeleteA busload of tourists - no wonder you didn't go inside! And I hope you beat them to the café :-)
The stone cat is beautifully done. I am wary of gnomes with their hats pulled down to their noses so that you can't see their eyes; been wondering about them ever since I first spotted them in a shop some years ago around Christmas time.
Yes Meike, the lake was even WHY the castle was built just there - not just for "enjoying" the view, but for defence purposes... In the past, parts of southern Sweden belonged to Denmark, and there were a lot of wars going on... In 1520, in the winter, a famous battle took place on the ice on Lake Åsunden - won by the Danes, and the temporary regent of Sweden killed; but a few years later, the situation changed again with Gustav Vasa crowned king Gustav I of Sweden, which is seen as the founding of the monarchy of "modern" Sweden.
DeleteAs for the gnomes in the shop... For me gnomes (whether you can see their eyes or not!) belong strictly to the Christmas season, but these reminded me of ones I've seen on blogs from the US, where they now seem to use gnomes like that for every season in their interior decorations... So I "fear" that trend may be spreading! ;)
DeleteThe castle has a very interesting history and is set in sch a beautiful spot with the lake nearby.
ReplyDeleteThe cat is so realistic and would make a very effective door stop. I love the hedgehogs and those gnomes always make me laugh!
Carol, see my replies to Meike :) Yes, I suppose that cat would make an effective door stop. I doubt my brother needs it as such, though - I think he just liked it!
DeleteThe castle is very solid and unadorned, a building to be trusted.I like the hedgehogs and the cheerful little gnomes.
ReplyDeleteJanice, I was kind of tempted by the hedgehogs, but managed to mentally talk myself out of buying one. (No idea where I'd put it!)
Deletethe first photo I was thinking how dark it must be inside that building with so few windows. then after reading, I thought they were protecting themselves it looks like, only the front has windows, so only have to guard that part.
ReplyDeleteglad you got the shot that shows the inside of one of the windows. I would like to see all those things in the gift shop... and love the tour but not with a crowd of people.
I actually prefer the red barn building over the castle. its amazing but not one I would want to live in.. even with maids and housekeepers. I am ready now for an apartment like yours. just the size to live in well.
Sandra, when the first part of this castle was built, window glass was still not produced here at all. Considering defence purposes as well as the climate, castles and forts (as well as other houses!) back then only had very small and narrow window openings. The big windows you see on the ground floor to the left of the entrance are in a wing that was added later, and that room is a chapel. Churches were the first buildings to get bigger windows; but consisting of many small window panes.
DeleteBeautiful reflection.
ReplyDelete