We first heard about Torpa Stenhus through an article in Göteborgs-Posten about Pehr Zethelius, whose family has inherited the estate through generations. It immediately caught our attention, and on a September Sunday we decided to drive there from Gothenburg.
About an hour later, we found ourselves beside Lake Åsunden, walking through a castle whose history goes back more than 500 years.
Torpa Stenhus: One of the Best Day Trips from Gothenburg
Driving along rather narrow roads surrounded by dense trees, I already had the feeling that the place simply couldn’t be anything but picturesque. And it was exactly so.
A white stone castle, simple and almost perfectly rectangular in shape, stood proudly above the green landscape surrounding it. After seeing it for the first time, I couldn’t wait to get inside.
The next guided tour was starting in 25 minutes. Tours take place every hour and are included in the entrance ticket, which costs 100 SEK for an adult.
We decided to use the time for coffee at the café opposite the castle, located inside one of the old buildings that once belonged to the estate. The interior was a wonderful surprise.
The spacious three-storey building has a beautiful old-world atmosphere that fits the surroundings perfectly. You can stop here just for coffee and something sweet, have a sandwich, or stay for lunch.
And then, at exactly 12 o’clock, our tour began.
Inside Torpa Stenhus: More Than 500 Years of History
We were welcomed by a lovely guide dressed in a costume inspired by medieval Sweden, which immediately added to the atmosphere.
One of the things I found most fascinating was simply realizing that Torpa Stenhus has never been sold for money. Throughout its long history, the estate has passed from one generation to another through inheritance.
I don’t think I had ever come across the story of a European estate quite like this before.
The first stone building was constructed around 1470 by Arvid Knutsson. At that time, it served both as a defensive stronghold and as a trading castle. The late 15th century was a turbulent period, with threats of Danish attacks as well as local uprisings.
For centuries, however, the family managed to preserve the castle remarkably well.
Walking through its rooms, I was especially impressed by the paintings and patterns covering the ceilings and walls of some of the halls. Zodiac signs, Roman gods, mythological creatures — there is so much to look at that your eyes constantly move from one detail to another.
Legends, Ghosts and the Walled-In Girl
Our guide kept surprising us with unusual stories about ghosts, tragedies and mysterious deaths connected with the castle. Perhaps the most disturbing is the legend of the walled-in girl.
A knight’s daughter returned to Torpa after travelling in Denmark, where the plague had broken out. Terrified that she might bring the disease into the castle, her father ordered her to be walled up alive inside one of its rooms.
Gustav Vasa and Katarina Stenbock
It was within the walls of this castle that the great Swedish ruler Gustav Vasa found his third wife, Katarina Stenbock. The niece of his late wife, Katarina was 40 years younger than Gustav Vasa. A petite, blue-eyed beauty, she captured the heart of the ageing king.
The couple never had children of their own, but the kind-hearted young queen took the king’s daughters from his previous marriages under her care and also took responsibility for running the royal household.
In one of the castle halls, you can see wax figures of Gustav Vasa and Katarina, while portraits of the king’s two late wives hang on the walls around them.
The Castle Chapel
On the ground floor of the castle, there is a chapel — an essential part of a noble estate at the time. What makes it especially fascinating is that the entire chapel was built and decorated by just one master craftsman.
Brought from Germany specifically for this project, the craftsman spent 40 years working on the chapel.
Isn’t that yet another incredible story of one person’s life and destiny?
The chapel is decorated in Baroque style and feels completely different from the heavy medieval rooms elsewhere in the castle. It is quite extraordinary to think how many generations have walked through these premises before us.
Visiting Torpa Stenhus: Opening Hours and Tickets
You can find the exact and detailed opening hours and guided tour schedule on the castle’s official website Torpa Stenhus. The timetable changes almost every month depending on the season, but in general, the castle is open to visitors on weekends from 11 am to 4 pm.
The entrance fee for an adult was 100 SEK, with the guided tour included in the ticket. If you are planning a visit, I strongly recommend checking the official Torpa Stenhus website beforehand.
Is Torpa Stenhus Worth Visiting?
I would really love to see more and more visitors discovering this beautiful place. After all, it is such a rare story — one estate remaining in the hands of the same family for several centuries.
The landscapes around the castle are so picturesque and peaceful.
Lakes on both sides made it an ideal strategic location for a defensive stronghold, while the red medieval-style buildings surrounding the white castle seem to fit so naturally into the landscape.
Everything here feels wonderfully harmonious.
Come here, bring your family and loved ones, and spend some time together in this incredibly picturesque place — only about an hour’s drive from Gothenburg!
More Day Trips & Places Around Gothenburg:
Tjörn Island
Alingsås
Varberg
Haga Gothenburg
If You Love Swedish Castles:
Kalmar Castle: Sweden’s Medieval Fortress
About the author:
Hi, I’m Victoria, the creator of Best Kyiv Guide. I spent years working as a private tour guide in Kyiv and now live in Sweden, writing about the places I explore firsthand and sharing personal stories and practical tips along the way.