Wednesday 8 August 2012

D for Drottningholm (ABC Wednesday)

Drottningholm Palace. Photo: Norberg Design AB/Dick Norberg.

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.

File:DrottningholmPalaceGardenSide01.jpg

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.

Drottningholms slott, fasad mot väster med barockträdgården och Vattenparterren, augusti 2011.

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.

Interior Drottningholm Palace. Photo: The Royal Court/Alexis Daflos.

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.

File:Drottningholms slott bibliotek 2011.jpg

The Queen’s Library (private room) from 1760

File:Drottningholm porslinsrummet 2011.jpg

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.

 Photo: The Royal Court

Photo: The Royal Court

File:Drottningholm lejon slottsteatern.JPG

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

File:Drottningholms slottsteater 2011b.jpg

File:Drottningholms slottsteater scen 1966.jpg

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

21 comments:

  1. The China Room looks as if it would be the most restful place to relax if only it had some comfy chairs!

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  2. the bedroom is beautiful but not my taste and i would have bad dreams if i stayed in it. but the china room is my taste and I love it.

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    1. Not even queen Hedvig Eleonora herself actually slept in that bedroom; it was for "show" only! (I read somewhere, can't recall now which article)

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  3. Great post. I loved the blue room! Blessings, Debbie

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  4. What a huge and beautiful place....the blue room is special, and the bedchamber is so very ornate....I would love to attend an opera in that old theatre - it's incredible...

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  5. Fascinating look into the lives of the royal life style♫

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  6. It's stunning! I'd love to visit there.

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  7. It is really beautiful, the grounds are especially pretty. My favorite is the china room.
    Ann

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  8. It looks lovely. I have wanted to visit the theatre at Drottningholm ever since finding a little book about it many years ago. I was intrigued by this book. I love little old theatres!

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  9. WOW!!! What beautiful pictures. Would love to visit.

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  10. Looks a little like the Gilded Age mansions of late 19th Century USA.
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  11. Dainty! Catching up With ABC.

    Daredevil Diva
    Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

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  12. I like finding out about World Heritage Sites and judging by the number of people who collect WHS postcards it is a very popular subject.

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  13. A very splendid place in every way by the look of it and it looks very well cared for too.

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  14. This Palace is certainly an amazing place and your photos are terrific images of it! Kate, ABC team

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    1. As stated in the post, the photos are not my own; so the only credit I can take is for spending time searching and choosing among the public ones available the internet... :)

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  15. very nice article. thank to share.. i love it.

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  16. I really enjoyed this post, and I learned a lot too. I may have to visit that China Room some day.

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  17. I wouldn't mind visiting again myself some day :)

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  18. What a beautiful place! Wish I could find out what she was reading, but I expect they're all in Swedish.

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