Finspång Castle was built by Louis de Geer the younger between the years 1668 and 1685 and is today used as offices for Finspång’s turbine industry. The surrounding park, laid out in the 1700s, is decorated with follies like the Aurora temple, the iron temple and the Lugnet summerhouse and is open to the public all year round. Through the windows of the orangery built in 1831, you may steal a glimpse at Sweden’s oldest grapevine.
The two annex wings, built by Louis de Geer’s grandson in 1742, are used as a hotel and restaurant for company guests. All the rooms are furnished according to milestones in the history of Finspång.
References:Herceg Novi was founded (on a former small fishing village, existing since Roman Empire times) as a fortress in 1382 by first Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I and was called Sveti Stefan or Castelnuovo. The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. However, there was a short pause between 1538 and 1539 when it was held by the Spaniards before they were defeated in the Siege of Castelnuovo. Turkey ruled again until 1687, from then until 1797, the town was ruled by the Venetian Republic.
The Herceg Novi old town is amazing. It is on a fairly steep hill that leads all the way down to the sea. Wandering through the small stairways to the various plazas and fortresses is a many hour adventure.