Residenset, a cornerstone of Malmö's Stortorget, has been steeped in power since the 1600s, earning its title as a stately castle. In 1658, the building was taken by force by General Governor Gustaf Otto Stenbok and Gustaf Banér, driving out Malmö councillor Fadder Loch. In the 18th century, the buildings were combined into one residence for the landlord of Skåne län.
The current façade dates from a renovation in 1849 by architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander. Only the western voluted gable and a small 'kerub head' on the eastern gable remain from the original structures from 1500–1600s. In 1806, Sweden was governed from Malmö, and Residenset accommodated the royal family, court, and part of the diplomatic corps. The northern side of the square was almost entirely occupied by distinguished guests. Gustav Adolfs torg and Drottningtorget were named after Gustav IV Adolf and Queen Fredrika, respectively.
The most significant event to take place at Residenset was the Trekungamötet in 1914, where representatives from the three crowns – the King of Sweden, the King of Denmark, and the King of Norway – met to discuss the union protecting Malmö Harbor. Today, Residenset is owned by the Swedish state and managed by Statens fastighetsverk.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.