Stjärnorp Castle

Stjärnorp Castle is a historic ruin located north of Lake Roxen, just outside the city of Linköping in the Östergötland province of Sweden. Constructed between 1655 and 1662, the estate was commissioned by Field Marshal Robert Douglas, Count of Skenninge, a prominent member of the Swedish branch of the Douglas family. The architectural design of the main castle and its surrounding terraces is attributed to Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, a renowned architect of the era. Originally, the complex featured a substantial four-story stone main building with a western tower and a roof terrace, flanked by two two-story wing buildings. A unique feature of the estate was its private chapel, which was fully furnished with an altar, pulpit, and organ to serve local residents living far from the parish church.

The site holds significant historical interest due to a persistent legend involving Robert Douglas and his comrade Axel Lillie. Following the Peace of Westphalia, the two men allegedly agreed to build Stjärnorp and Löfstad Castles high enough that they could visually exchange greetings from their respective top floors. In the mid-18th century, the manor was noted for its impressive scale and the active use of its chapel by local farmers and crofters. However, the grandeur of the main structure was short-lived. On May 12, 1789, a devastating fire destroyed all the primary buildings at Stjärnorp.

While the wing buildings were reconstructed shortly after the disaster, financial constraints prevented the restoration of the main castle, leaving it in ruins to this day. The chapel, however, was repaired in 1789 and later became the official chapel for the newly formed Stjärnorp parish in 1810. Today, the site remains a notable landmark where visitors can view the enduring ruins of the main hall alongside the rebuilt wings, serving as a testament to the region's 17th-century aristocratic history and the dramatic events that altered its physical landscape.