Sweden-Kalmar Castle exhibition 2018 -800 years of war, power and glory -Leonardo Da Vinci's life and lifetime 1452-1519 The history of Kalmar Castle Around 1180 a defense tower, a castle, was built on the site where Kalmar Castle is now located. The tower was built to protect against pirates and other enemies. At the beginning of the 13th century, Kalmar was established as a city. At the end of the 13th century, Magnus Ladulås had a castle complex built with a ring wall and towers around the old castle. To the west is the Kuretornet where the old main entrance was. The castle was then Sweden's most modern fortress. For a long time, the castle was a strong defense facility, mainly due to its strategic location. The border with Denmark then ran south of Kalmar. Skåne, Blekinge and Halland were Danish until 1658. The Kalmar Union Perhaps the most important political event in Kalmar during the Middle Ages was the formation of the Kalmar Union in 1397 between Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Queen Margareta was behind the union that united the countries with a common regent and foreign policy and which came to be a counterweight to the German Hanseatic League. With Gustav Vasa as king of Sweden, the union formally ended in 1523. The Vasa kings Under the Vasa kings Gustav I, Erik XIV and Johan III, the castle got its current appearance. During the 16th century, the medieval castle was transformed into a Renaissance palace based on the continental model. Both Erik XIV and Johan III had artists and craftsmen from Europe give the castle modern architecture and decoration for the time. In the Kungsgemaket, one finds one of the oldest preserved images in the castle, in intarsia, placed on the door leading to the secret house and the secret passage that could provide an escape route to other parts of the castle. In the ceiling of the Golden Hall you will find a completely unique gilded coffered ceiling. The Kalmar War During the Kalmar War, Krister Some, whose face is sculpted on the stairs in front of the eastern längan, had to hand over the castle to the Danes after fierce battles on August 3, 1611. The castle remained in Danish hands until 1613. After the peace of Roskilde in 1658, Kalmar Castle ceased to be a border protection against the Danes and lost its strategic location and thus its role as a defensive fortress. The royal visits became increasingly rare and the stately halls were given new uses, such as prison and crown theft. A living castle Kalmar Castle is a symbol of Kalmar. The castle has a history of grand politics, court intrigues, stormings and violent wars. Today, the castle is a popular and very lively place. Recording by: M.Sitnica-Sigge