KINA SLOTT

Description

Essentials about the Kina Slott in brief

Anyone visiting Stockholm is unlikely to expect to find a Chinese castle in the Swedish capital. But the Kina Slott (Chinese Palace) on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace lives up to its name from the outside. Lovers of Far Eastern culture and architecture should definitely pay a visit to this extraordinary palace. A stroll through the park of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is also worthwhile for people who have little interest in Chinese design.

The history of the Kina Slott

The idea for Kina Slott came from Queen Lovisa Ulrika, who was interested in Chinese culture. She commissioned the architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz to build the palace. Adelcrantz had spent time in China and was fascinated by Chinese architecture and art. He created a castle that was based on the Chinese style but also incorporated elements of Swedish architecture.

Kina Slott was completed in 1769 and was a gift for Queen Lovisa Ulrika. She used the castle as a retreat and often held parties there. After Queen Lovisa Ulrika’s death, the Chinese Castle was used by various members of the royal family. It was also used for events such as concerts and weddings. In 1991, the Chinese Palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Drottningholm Palace.

The architecture of the Kina Slott

The Kina Slott is a good example of chinoiserie, a European style inspired by Chinese architecture and art. During the 18th century, Europe experienced a veritable “Chinoiserie” mania in which aristocrats drew inspiration from Chinese culture and art. The palace is a two-storey building with an octagonal floor plan. It is adorned with Chinese-style decorations, including pagodas, dragons and lotus flowers. Inside the palace are a series of rooms decorated in Chinese style. These include a reception room, a dining room and a bedchamber.

The Chinese Pavillion

An outstanding element of Kina Slott is the Chinese Pavilion, which is located in the extensive castle park. This pavilion, which looks like an exotic temple, was used as a place of entertainment and is another example of the Chinese influence on the castle’s architecture.

The palace park

The surrounding palace park, which was designed by Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, is just as impressive as the castle itself. Here, visitors can stroll between magnificent flowerbeds and picturesque paths surrounded by lush nature. The palace park provides a pleasant contrast to the impressive architecture of Kina Slott.