The burial site of Swedish kings 1632-1950 (Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm)

[Adar]

Riddarholmskyrkan viewed from stadshuset.


Riddarholmskyrkan


The interior of the church


The elevated grave of Nils Kettilsson who is the founder of the Vasa family and died in 1355. Gustav II Adolf elevated his grave stone to show it's significance.


The sarcophagus of Gustav II Adolf




Charles XII (Karl XII)




And the burial vault containing Karl X Gustav and Charles XI (Karl XI). Karl X Gustavs sarcophagus is the one with a crown on, Charles XIs sarcophagus is the one to the left of which you only see the end of. The other sarcophaguses are of the queens and children who died when very young.

Charles XI is the son of Karl X Gustav and father of Charles XII, the fact that they are all named "Karl" have given the name "the Carolean era" (1654-1718) to their reigns. Karl X Gustav was cousin to queen Christina (daughter of Gustav II Adolf) and inherited the crown when she abdicated. Thus marking the end of the Swedish Vasa dynasty.



The burial of Gustav II Adolf in the church also made it a popular burial site for many other Swedish noblemen. The two most notable being, Johan Banér and Lennart Torstensson who later led the Swedish armies to victory in the 30 year war.

This is the sarcophagus of Johan Banér. His sarcophagus is "crowned" by a helmet just like the kings coffins are carrying crowns.


Lennart Torstenssons family vault


Lennart Torstenssons coffin is the one with the skull on.


And Gustav II Adolfs illegitimate son Gustav Gustavsson Wasaborg who held many important positions during the reign of his half sister Queen Kristina. Just like Karl Karlsson Gyllenhielm faithully served his half brother Gustav II Adolf and later also protected Kristina against noblemen trying to limit her power.

[Radosław Sikora]

Thanks for all pictures. This is really an interesting place. And a good idea to show it . Maybe another members of the forum will show how kings are buried in their countries? I have taken only a couple of pictures in Wawel cathedral, where rest Polish kings.

[Friendo1231]

Thanks for all pictures. This is really an interesting place. And a good idea to show it . Maybe another members of the forum will show how kings are buried in their countries? I have taken only a couple of pictures in Wawel cathedral, where rest Polish kings.

There's a Batory listed there. Stefan Batory. If I'm correct on this, he's a relative to Elizabeth Batory, the Blood Countess right?

[Radosław Sikora]

There's a Batory listed there. Stefan Batory. If I'm correct on this, he's a relative to Elizabeth Batory, the Blood Countess right?

Right. She was a daughter of his brother.

[Henrik]

Riddarholmskyrkan, or the Riddarholmen Church is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric of Stockholm´s churches. It is close to the Royal Palace on the historic and largely unspoiled island of Riddarholmen (Knights Island) in Stockholm’s old town. The church has served as the final resting place for the Swedish royal family and various other members of the aristocracy ever since it was originally constructed in the late 13th Century.

The earliest Kings entombed at Riddarholmskyrkan are Magnus III, who died in 1290 and Charles VIII who died in 1470. With the exception of Queen Christina, all of Sweden’s monarchs from Gustavus Adolphus(1632) to Gustaf V(1950) are also laid to rest here.

Originally designed as a Greyfriar monastery, Kings Gustav Vasa and Gustav III both had intentions to remove the church altogether but, luckily, their plans never bore fruit and now Riddarholmskyrkan stands as Stockholm’s last remaining abbey. The church held its final congregation in 1807 and is now purely used for burials and memorial services. It is looked after by the National Property Board (SFV) along with the Office of the Marshal of the Realm.

Following the Protestant Reformation, the building ceased to be used as a monastery and was transformed into a Protestant church. The first spire of Riddarholmskyrkan was constructed around 1500, following designs by Willem Boy, but this had to be replaced with a more robust, cast iron structure after a lighting strike that destroyed the original in 1835.

Riddarholmskyrkan has a strong association with the knights from the Order of the Seraphim and the church walls are decorated with their coats of arms. The knights themselves are also buried in the Church, and it is at the time of their funerals that the coats of arms are added to the collection.

Riddarholmskyrkan is only open to the public through summer, although it is also used year-round as a venue for a variety of concerts as well as bell ringing sessions organised by Order of the Seraphim.