Magnificent Läckö, 3-4 July

From Djurö, we continue south-west to Läckö, another magnificent baroque castle on the shore of Lake Vänern. It is located on an island very close to the shore, nowadays connected by a bridge. 

Belisama on the guest pier of Läckö castle

Captain Haddock has often referred to lake sailors as "landlubbers!" After two weeks of canal cruising without getting sails out, we arrive on Lake Vänern with 25 knots of head winds. I will not use this curse of Captain Haddock anymore!

A short video below, which does not reflect the 25 knots of winds. We have the trinket plus one reef on the main sail.

The marina is rather small for Belisama but given the forecasted culling over the weekend, it is pretty much deserted and we can moor safely alongside.

Läckö guest pier

This castle was initially built to prevent the invasion from the Danes from the south. The first fortified castle was built by the local bishop.Following the reformation of Sweden in 1527, Gustav Vasa took possession of the castle. In 1615, the castle was given to the field marshal Pontus De la Gardie, a French mercenary fighting against Sweden with the Danes, but captured by Swedish troops in 1565. He served with great success Sweden, was ennobled and gained the reputation of being one of the finest military strategy of his time. He is the one who developed the castle, building the courtyard and having frescoes painted all around. His grandson, Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie further expanded the castle, added the fourth floor, the chapel and the kitchen wing.

One of the castle tower. Note the toilet prominent on the outside wall.

Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie

The Battle hall leading to the King hall

Most walls and ceilings are painted with frescoes in the castle. In the Battle hall above, the different warrior groups having originated in Scandinavia are painted (Goths and Vandals above).

The King hall

The King hall

Angel holding the king's crown, hanging from the ceiling of the King hall, where the king is sitting

The King's hall depicts the battles that Sweden won during the thirty years' war. Sweden, with the support of the French was instrumental in the successes of the Swedes against the Hapsburg's. In the castle, there is an Austrian room that includes the portrait of the important Hapsburg family members and generals, as to familiarise the Swede Nobility with their enemies!

The Austrian room, with the gallery of portraits

Detail of the frescoes on the walls

The dining hall

Above the dining table, a painting of Ceres, the Goddess of agriculture

Queen Cristina

Vanity, unknown artist

Head on the wall of one hall

The Läckö chapel