The 27-metre shaft carved with burning pork

At Läckö Castle, a mysterious 27-metre deep shaft known as Fläskgraven is carved into the lakeside stone. Documentation from 1554 by Olaus Magnus suggests the creators heated the rock with burning pork to excavate the passage. This tunnel reached the water level and likely functioned as a hidden entrance to the fortress.

Bishop Brynolf Algotsson initiated the original fortified foundations in 1298. Ownership shifted to the crown following the Reformation in 1527. The site evolved through the Vasa era and into the Baroque period when the De la Gardie family expanded it into a massive estate featuring nearly 250 rooms.

Visitors will find the interior filled with the heavy atmosphere of Baroque grandeur. The halls preserve 17th century sculptures, paintings, and stucco work. Although many treasures departed in 1830, several rooms still showcase their original decorations and woven tapestries.

This Swedish national monument serves as a museum where you can explore the courtyard. Every July, the grounds host an annual opera production for three weeks. The structure stands as a testament to the transition from a medieval stronghold to a noble residence.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons