# Ekholmen Castle

- **Country:** Sweden
- **Condition:** Hotel
- **Year Built:** 1857
- **Location Text:** Uppland

Ekholmen Castle is a historic estate located in Veckholm parish, within Enköping Municipality in Uppsala County, eastern Sweden. Situated south of the town of Enköping near Norra Björkfjärden in Lake Mälaren, the site has been recognized since 1369. The current main building was constructed between 1736 and 1748 under the direction of the prominent architect Carl Hårleman. While the central structure dates to the eighteenth century, the castle's wings are significantly older. These side buildings originally belonged to a previous house built by the heirs of Pontus De la Gardie, who received the property as a royal gift from King John III in 1571. That earlier structure was designed by architect Jean de la Vallée before it was destroyed by fire in 1686, leaving only the wings intact.

The architectural appearance of Ekholmen Castle today is largely the result of a major renovation completed in 1857. Led by architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander, this restoration transformed the main building into the Renaissance style. Distinctive features added during this period include four corner towers and elegant baroque curved gables, which define its current silhouette. This blend of eighteenth-century foundations with nineteenth-century Renaissance revival elements makes the castle a notable example of evolving Swedish architectural tastes. Although specific details regarding its modern ownership or public access are not extensively documented in available records, the castle remains a significant landmark in the region. Its long history, spanning from medieval mentions to royal gifts and multiple architectural reinventions, highlights its enduring importance in the cultural landscape of Uppsala County.

![Photo of Ekholmen Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Ekholmen.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekholmen_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)