History, The Tre Kronor Museum

Photo: The Royal Court.
The Tre Kronor Museum can be described as both the oldest and the most recent mu-seum in Stockholm from the last millennium.

Most recent because it was opened as recently as December 28, 1999.

At the same time it can be seen as Stockholm's most ancient museum as it depicts the Royal Palace's history from its beginning during the dark Viking ages to the palace fire on May 7, 1697.

Medieval stronghold

The Tre Kronor Museum is located inside the original medieval stronghold's north defence wall. The wall dates back to the 13th century.

A few hundred years later low brick buildings were built on the inside of this wall. Today, these brick buildings together with the defence wall make up the Royal Palace´s north wing.

At the museum, the story of how the medieval stronghold functioned from a defence perspective is told along the wall. Visitors can see how guards fight off attackers who manage to climb up the defence wall.

Life in the medieval castle

Scaffolding and moulds of vaults portray how buildings were constructed in the middle ages. However, the best objects of study are the medieval rooms themselves.

How life was lived in the medieval castle is also depicted, from the king shown in one of the castle's state rooms dressed in his magnificent finery to a maid running up the stairs met by a not so lovely rat.

Exciting 3D models

A large number of 3D models make up the more exciting and instructive part of the exhibition.

Amongst these, three large replicas depict the castle's development from a medieval stronghold to a castle, which was on its way to transforming into a magnificent baroque castle before the palace fire in 1697. These three models were built by the artist Lars Agger.

Studying these 3D models in detail is like setting off on  an  exciting historical adventure. Even experts are amazed and can often be heard saying “so this is what it looked like!"