Kronoberg castle ruins in Växjö - Vasa and the Dacke feud

Writer: Helena Bergström

Kronoberg Castle Ruin is a well-preserved historical ruin that tells interesting stories about Gustav Vasa and the Dacke feud. Join us on an exciting journey to the 16th century!

Kronoberg castle ruins

The Kronoberg Castle ruins are still impressive, even though all that remains are ruins. Imagine what it once looked like, and what took place here!

Kronoberg Castle Ruin is located on an islet in Lake Helga, in the municipality of Växjö, in Småland.

Kronoberg castle ruins - originally a bishop's castle

In the 15th century, the Bishop of Växjö built a fortification on an island in Lake Helga. The fortification may not have been very large at first, but over time it developed into a castle of stone and wood. The fortress was destroyed in 1469 by the Danes, but the bishops did not give up. After the peace of 1472, they built a new castle.

Gustav Vasa and the Dacke feud

During the Reformation in the 16th century, the church's property was transferred to the Crown. This was true at least in most places in the country. In Växjö, the bishop was allowed to remain on his property. This was not because Gustav Vasa was generous, but because he saw that in Småland it was strategic to keep the bishop in place.

However, Gustav Vasa could not protect himself against discontent and rebellion. The greatest threat came from Nils Dacke, who, in 1542, launched the Tyre fights. The peasants were unhappy with Vasa's attempt to strengthen the central power, and in Småland, where they had been relatively independent, the dissatisfaction was particularly strong. During the feud, Dacke and his men captured Kronoberg Castle, from where they led the rebellion.

Dacke was strong, but Gustav Vasa was stronger. The Dacke rebellion was crushed, and then Mr Vasa had his castle expanded into a typical Vasa castle with large round corner towers.

Vasaborgen - and its decay

Kronoberg Castle was now a powerful building, but in the times that followed there were concerns about attacks from the Danes. Gustav Vasa's eldest son, Duke Erik, visited Kronoberg Castle in the winter of 1559 and his eldest child, his daughter Virginia, was born in January.

Erik and his party ate and drank heavily at the castle in the winter of 1959, and there is a small "peep hole" with little dolls to show what it might have looked like.

The year 1612 was the last time the castle served as a border during a Danish siege. After the Peace of Brömsebo in 1645, the castle fell into disrepair and was soon a ruin.

Visiting the Kronoberg Castle ruins

Update in 2023: From the turn of 2022/2023, the castle ruins will be permanently closed to visitors.

It is very nice and interesting to visit the Kronoberg castle ruins. We are a bit unsure if we paid 40 or 50 crowns in entry (memory fails), but it was in any case an affordable sum. We got a small brochure, and could then start the tour on our own.

Inside the castle grounds, you can freely wander around the different walls and "rooms". In some places you can experience what it might have felt like inside the premises.

In addition to the "regular" information signs, there may be special exhibitions in the area. When we were here, there was an exhibition about Dacke and the Dacke feud.

When you have finished with Kronoberg's castle ruin, you can, if you wish, eat food or have a coffee at Ryttmästaregården, which is right next door. Very cosy environment!

Where can you park your campervan?

There is a parking lot right next to the Kronoberg castle ruins, and when we were here it was fine to stay overnight.

If you prefer camping, you can drive to Evedals camping, where we also stayed one night. This is a nice campsite by Lake Helga, and here we got very good treatment from the nice staff at the reception.

See more around Kronoberg Castle Ruin

• Things to do in Växjö
• Teleborg Castle
• Huseby mill
• Granhult church