Highlights – Discover The Royal Armoury
Step into the historic vaults of the Royal Armoury, Sweden’s oldest museum, and immerse yourself in centuries of royal history. Located within the Royal Palace in Stockholm, this unique setting offers an unparalleled glimpse into Sweden’s regal past.
The museum’s location in the heart of the Swedish monarchy’s seat of power makes it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts from around the world. Explore magnificent artifacts, grand ceremonial outfits, and legendary weapons that have shaped Sweden’s royal legacy.
Six Must-See Objects
Here are the objects you won't want to miss in the permanent exhibition The Exhibition of Sweden’s Royal History at the Royal Armoury.
1. Gustav II Adolf’s horse – Streiff
The horse Streiff was ridden by Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lützen, the very place where the king fell in combat. Streiff is one of the few preserved royal warhorses in the world and was present both during the war and the king’s final moments.
2. Karl XII’s Preserved Coat and Hat
An iconic and unique garment bearing traces of the bullet hole from the death of Charles XII in Halden. The only preserved outfit belonging to Charles XII – a relic from the Swedish Age of Greatness and one of the most talked-about objects in Swedish history.
3. Queen Christina’s Coronation Mantle
Queen Christina’s famous purple coronation mantle, made of velvet and cut in a circular shape with a long, narrow train, was displayed in the Great Church (Storkyrkan). The mantle was originally commissioned in Paris for Queen Christina’s coronation. Since then, several monarchs have been crowned wearing it, including Charles X Gustav and Ulrika Eleonora. Of the original 764.5 gold-embroidered crowns, only the imprints remain today in the silk velvet.
4. The Royal Carriage Hall
At the very bottom of the Royal Armoury’s magical palace vaults, five magnificent royal carriages are preserved. These carriages were once powerful status symbols, designed to be seen and to showcase royal authority during grand spectacles and coronation processions. According to tradition, the king would ride to the church on a white horse, while the queen traveled in the carriage. Come and experience these gilded treasures!
5. The Armor of Karl IX
The armour consists of 18 parts and was delivered to Erik XIV in 1562. Made of steel with etched and embossed decoration, it is richly adorned with applied gold. The armour was produced at the weapons factory in Arboga and decorated in Antwerp by the goldsmith Eliseus Libaerts, based on designs by the French artist Etienne Delaune.
6. Sofia Magdalena's Wedding Dress
Princess Sofia Magdalena of Denmark’s wedding dress is one of the oldest and most magnificent garments in the Royal Armoury’s collection. Her wedding to Crown Prince Gustav (later Gustav III) took place in the Great Church (Storkyrkan) in November 1766, when both were 20 years old. The dress is made of silver brocade and is a so-called robe de cour, featuring a train of about three meters and worn over a rigid understructure. The tightly corseted bodice has a waist measurement of only 53.5 centimeters.
