The Marble Under the Castle

Tre Kronor Museum, located in the cellar vaults beneath Sweden's grand Royal Palace in Stockholm, opened its doors on December 28, 1999. The oldest rooms date back to the 1300s, with the museum residing in the preserved cellar areas of the castle. The museum's entrance lies through the thick 1200s defense wall from Lejonbacken. Visitors are greeted by models demonstrating various aspects of Stockholm Castle over time, each offering a glimpse into the intricate history of the palace.

Among the exhibited objects is the lower part of ornately-carved marble pillars. These sections can be traced back to Johan III's castle church, which stood on the northern range. A partially preserved underground passage leads from the museum's entrance hall, offering a glimpse into the hidden passageways that crisscrossed the castle and connected it to places like Helgeandsholmen. King Carl XI had the passage built so he could walk from the castle to the stables without getting wet.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons