Karlbergs slott, Ingegerdsleden

KARLBERG CASTLE

The person who gave his name to Karlberg was Gustav II Adolf's half-brother Karl Karlsson Gyllenhielm. In 1634, the house that is now the core of the old castle was built. After Karl's death in 1650, Karlberg was bought by Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie, who turned it into a magnificent Baroque castle. However, the reduction forced him to leave it behind the old hospital chapel of Sankt Erik. Karlberg Castle is home to the world's oldest war college, dating back to the 18th century. In 1688, the castle came into royal ownership. Karl XI, who was king at the time, lived with his family at Karlberg during the summer, and his son Karl, the future Karl XII, largely grew up at the castle. He hunted wolves with his father in Solna Forest, and played with his dogs in the castle park. When his favorite dog Pompe died in 1699, he was buried in the park under a beautiful stone. Shortly before his death in 1792, King Gustav III founded the Royal War Academy at Karlberg. In order to accommodate all the officers5 students, the palace was extended with the long accommodation wings in 1793-96. Today, professional officers are trained at what is considered the world's oldest military school. On the way from the castle to Rörstrandsgatan, we pass what could be a kitchen mess from three centuries of partying at the castle. What we see instead is a pile of discarded material from Rörstrands Porslinsfabrik, which was located here between 1726 and 1926. Perhaps a dog is also buried here. But if so, it is made of porcelain.

From "Ingegerdsleden: Pilgrimage route for spirituality, culture and peace" published by the Church of Sweden. Available as PDF: https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/filer/Ingegerdsleden\_bok.pdf