Details
Founded: 1551Category: Industrial sites in Sweden
Historical period: Early Vasa Era (Sweden)
User Reviews
There has been an ironworks in Jädersbruk since Middle Ages. It was originally owned by Julita Abbey. After Reformation Jädersbruk was confiscated to the Crown. King Gustav Vasa set up there the first arms manufactory “Arboga faktori, Jäders Bruk” to decrease the dependence of foreign weapons.
Weapons fere forged until the end of 17th century when the ironworks gradually started manufacturing of civilian products. The ironworks flourished until the early 20th century. Today the manor house and workers’ cottages remain and there are art and handicraft workshops.
References:Ängsö Castle was first named as "Engsev" in a royal charter by king Canute I of Sweden (r. 1167-1196), in which he stated that he had inherited the property after his father Eric IX of Sweden. Until 1272, it was owned by the Riseberga Abbey, and then taken over by Gregers Birgersson.
From 1475 until 1710, it was owned by the Sparre family. The current castle was built as a fortress by riksråd Bengt Fadersson Sparre in the 1480s. In 1522, Ängsö Castle was taken after a siege by king Gustav Vasa, since its owner, Fadersson's son Knut Bengtsson, sided with Christian II of Denmark. However, in 1538 it was given by the king to Bengtsson's daughter Hillevi Knutsdotter, who was married to Arvid Trolle.
In 1710, the castle was taken over by Carl Piper and Christina Piper. Ängsö Castle was owned by the Piper family from 1710 until 1971, and is now owned by the Westmanna foundation. The castle building itself was made into a museum in 1959 and was made a listed building in 1965. It is currently opened to visitors during the summers.
The castle is a cubical building in four stores made by stone and bricks. The lower parts is preserved from the middle ages. It was redecorated and expanded in the 1630s. The 4th storey as well as the roof is from the expansion of Carl Hårleman from 1740-41. It gained its current appearance in the 1740s.