The Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren)

Photo: Göran Schmidt – The Royal Armoury

The Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren) is Sweden’s oldest museum, founded by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1628, the same year the Vasa sunk. The museum itself hosts Royal artefacts, including the crown jewels, and clothing from the Kings, Queens which have resided in and around Sweden’s throne throughout the ages.

The Collection
The Royal Armoury features many famous pieces in its collection such as the clothing ranging from Charles XII’s muddy clothing from Fredriksten’s Castle where he fell in 1718 to richly decorated saddles and weapons. The museum even offers a view at stuffed horses in the lower level exhibition of Royal carriages.

Guided Tours
Tours are available, offering easily understandable and interesting facts about Sweden’s Royal Family and Court through the ages and the stories behind the artefacts and museum pieces on display. It is possible to book special tours if you’re interested in just an area of the museum, for example armours or clothing.

Current Exhibition
From November 23, 2007 the Royal Armoury has an exhibition on War-booty, collected during Stormaktstiden, or the “Age of Greatness” during which Sweden was a major European power. As war-booty was a legitimate part of war during this era most of the booty has remained in swedish hands, and the most interesting of which is now available on display for the visitor.

The museum is open:
Sept-April Tuesday-Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm & Thursdays 11 am to 8 pm
May Daily 11 am to 5 pm
Jun-Aug Daily 11 am to 5 pm
Closed 18/3, Midsummers Eve, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day

Prices and Admission:
Prices are 60 SEK for 19 years or older.
Admission is free for children 0-18 years of age.

Getting to the museum
The museum itself is located in the Royal Palace in Old Town with entrence from Slottsbacken 3.
The nearest communication is the subway station Gamla Stan and there is also a carpark nearby in Skeppsbron and an underground parking facility at Slottsbacken 6 by the Royal Coin Cabinet.

Because of its central location the Royal Armoury is easily accessible and has access to Stockholm City hotels, such as the Grand Hotel Stockholm, and Stockholm’s many restaurants and shops.

For more information, please see The Royal Armoury’s Official website.