The Queen's Palace

Now that things have opened up, we visited the royal residence, Drottningholm, which is just a 20-minute drive away.  We visited the grounds a few weeks ago and they were extensive and well-maintained and open to the public.  Nice of the royal family to let us wander their grounds!  Actually, it's a great PR move!  But now, for a price of course, we can see the interior of the palace.  That helps to pay their bills.

As we entered the palace, we were awed with the gorgeous marble and the delicate carvings.  It was truly fit for a king . . . or rather . . . queen.  The name Drottningholm actually means "queen's islet."

The king and queen of Sweden live here but work during the week in their palace in Gamla Stan (the old town of Stockholm).  We of course only toured the public portion and not their extensive private quarters.

Love, love, love the ceilings!

I wonder if anyone really reads these books?  Just for show?  It's quite a show!

We've seen fireplaces and chimneys like these in palaces and castles all over Europe.  I still prefer my forced air furnace that we have at home.

The King's bedroom was actually where he greeted visitors.  Love the blue and gold colors but I wouldn't want to greet people in my boudoir!

I wish I could remember what this ceiling picture is about.  I was quite taken with it and thought I would remember, but I don't.

More blue and gold and gorgeous ornate carvings.

King Carl and Queen Silvia allow people to wander through their beautiful gardens at no cost.  Smart royalty!  Makes the citizens love them even more.  And they do love their king and queen.  Their daughter, Princess Victoria will be the next reigning queen.

Things oriental were very popular back in the day. 

LeRon loved this ornate wooden cabinet.  We love the richness of beautiful wood.

Imagine being ushered into this hallway!!!

The Swedes also loved things Roman.  This entire room was devoted to Rome and to Roman Emporers.  Here is the emporer Augustus Gajus Julius Octavianus.  Our son, Craig, could tell you more about him as Craig received his Masters Degree in Classical Studies with an emphasis on things Roman from the University of Leeds in England.

And this is Hadrianus.

Tiberias Claudius Nero

And Markus Aurelias.  Beautiful sculptures.

A darling puppet theater.

The palace was originally built in 1699 but has had some major renovations.  These tapestries are lovely.

Can you imagine sewing a tapestry?

Praestantior Animus means "outstanding at heart."  I wish I could remember why I took this picture other than that the sculpture is lovely.  Craig could tell me more.

The original flooring is simply . . . wood!

The Roman Emporer room was so beautiful.

The outside of the palace was actually quite plain and yet elegant.

That yellow color is very Swedish.

"We're here at the entrance to the king and queen's park!  Welcome everyone!"

 

Now on to the Chinese Pavilion, the Kina Slott, still on the grounds of Drottningholm.  It was built 1753-1769 and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things oriental were in vogue at the time.  This Kina Slott is considered to be one of Sweden's Royal Palaces.  Not sure why because it is simply a tourist site now and is actually very small.

Very oriental furnishings of course.

These painted screens reminded LeRon of his mission in Japan 1972-1974.

And he was excited to see this abacus.  He remembers little old grannies making calculations on their abacus's, their fingers flying.  And they were extremely accurate and very fast.  Probably as fast as a calculator.

Kites!  LeRon remembers so many kites!  Kites for every occasion.

Things oriental bring back a lot of memories of LeRon's time in Japan.  For some reason, many Swedes are still taken with things oriental.  They seem to have a fascination for it.