Brahehus Slott is One of Sweden's Must-See Castle Ruins

I am a long-time castle freak. Anything medieval, actually, but especially castles. Part of the reason I was happy to move to Sweden is the abundance of castles and castle ruins. Brahehus is one of the coolest ruins I have found so far.

Count Per Brahe The Younger began building this castle for his wife around 1638. It over looks the Vatten River and the island of Visingso near Granna and Uppgranna. While most castles in Sweden really do not resemble what most folks think of when they hear the word castle (ie: The Tower of London), Brahehus was inspired by the German designs and you can tell by the ruins that it came closer to the usual definition of a castle.

You can park near the Brahehus Restaurant on Highway E4. From there they have built a walking path under the E4 to get safely over to the Brahehus ruins. I'm handicapped with Fibromyalgia and use a walker more often than not and I had no problems at all visiting this historic site. There are a few steps into the ruins themselves, but nothing exceptionally daunting. Let me tell you, it is worth the small effort to go into the ruins themselves. That view is just spectacular.

We stopped here heading home to Helsingborg after picking my daughter up from the airport in Stockholm. She is not the daughter who is into castles like I am, but even she was impressed with Brahehus. And who wouldn't be? Although this castle is in ruins now, there are enough of the walls still standing to give you the feel of what it once was. Looking through the remains of the windows over the water gives you a sense of what it was like to live in this glorious castle. This was one of those time where I wish I had the funds to buy it and restore it. Just stunning.

At one point, there were actually three castles right here, making up a triangle. One (Visingso) was across the water on the island (which you can also visit), and the other, Vastana Slott, is now a hotel on a golf course. Still, from the vantage point of inside Brahehus it is very easy to imagine the three standing together back in the day.

To get to Brahehus, look on a map of Sweden and find the area called Smaland. Inside Smaland is Granna. The E4 is a major highway crossing Sweden from east to west between Stockholm and Helsingborg. It is very visible from the highway so is very easy to find once you've gotten onto the right road.

There is no entrance fee here. Brahehus is a historical landmark totally free to the public, including the parking. It is hard to find such a delight with zero outlay. If you find yourself hungry, do stop into the Brahehus Restaurant and grab a bite. They have pretty good food, and the view is, of course, of this stunning castle ruins. It just does not get much better than this.

Recommend? You bet your longsword I do. If you are traveling to Sweden and love playing tourist at historical sites, then Brahehus Slott is an absolute must. Do bring your camera. As I mentioned, the views are to die for.