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Built between 1691 and 1754, the Royal Palace, or Kungliga Slottet, is one the few official residences of a European monarch open to the public. It is currently the home of King Carl XVI Gustaf, and it's where the offices of the King and Queen and the Duchess of Halland are housed. The Palace began as a fortress in the 13th century and increased in both grandeur and scale along with Sweden's growing prosperity until officially becoming the official royal residence in 1521 under Gustav Vasa. Seen from the outside it is quite somber, severe looking, while inside it is designed in an extravagantly baroque, Italian style. Visitors can walk through the Council Chamber where the king meets with his ministers several times a year and see the State Apartments with their baroque ceilings and marvelous tapestries. The Treasury, or Skattkammaren, down in the cellar, is also well worth a visit. Here you'll find an exhibition of one the finest collections of crown jewels on display in Europe. The Royal Armory is also on display here in the cellar; it's a magnificent collection of gilded coaches, coronation costumes, weapons and armour. You can also watch the Changing of the Royal Guard which takes place every day during the summer and on Sundays and Wednesdays during the winter. |