Läckö Castle: Opera and live music at fairy tale castle

Läckö Castle is captivating with its fascinating history, baroque exterior and interior, ancient medieval vaults and treasures, and magical garden. This summer, the castle also offers a great program of exhibitions and music events.

Läckö Castle is known as De la Gardie’s magnificent fairy tale mansion on the shores of Lake Vänern. Strategically located, the castle is a uniquely preserved monument of the Swedish power era and 17th-century baroque splendour. In collaboration with the National Museum, the castle has been refurbished and visitors can experience permanent exhibitions such as the kitchen and household, the dungeon, the treasury, the armoury, and more. ”Läckö Castle is a hidden gem, also for many Swedes,” says Jan Malmgren, CEO of Läckö Castle Foundation. “It’s a fantastic experience to see the castle, which is literally untouched.”

Macbeth, Opera at Läckö Castle 2023. Photo: Daniel Strandroth

This summer, Läckö Castle has invited British photo artist Kirsty Mitchell to show her exhibition Wonderland. Mitchell combines the creation of costumes and embellishments with imaginative model photography in natural surroundings. The result is magnificent large-format works that tickle all senses and fit particularly well into the baroque style of the castle.

Through a long-standing collaboration between the National Museum and the Läckö Castle Foundation, a large selection of new and older objects are also on display under the name Celebration – The Art of Having Fun. And Rörstrand Museum in Lidköping has a small display, which includes items from the iconic porcelain factory Rörstrand’s history that also follows the festive theme, under the name The Fine China. Visitors can also view fantastic costumes from the castle’s many opera performances in the exhibition Opera Costumes.

The main courtyard has amazing acoustics and the summer opera at Läckö Castle is a must for many. This year’s opera is Rossini’s La Gazzetta directed by Lars Bethke, with 14 performances between 12 July and 3 August. The castle also hosts Läckö Sessions, a series of live concerts including Tommy Körberg on 28 July. “Läckö Castle is a great meeting place and a beautiful destination,” concludes Malmgren. “Lots of people come here to meet friends, have lunch or enjoy a fika, listen to their favourite musicians, stroll in the garden, and learn more about our cultural heritage.”

Also located on the estate is Naturum Vänerskärgården – Victoriahuset, named after Crown Princess Victoria. Check out the visitor centre, experience an exhibition about the national park and the Vänern archipelago, recharge at restaurant Hvita Hjorten, and spend the night in the hotel.

Benjamin Ingrosso, Läckö Sessions 2023. Photo: Johannes Olovsson

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Other summer events at Läckö:
Exhibitions, 8 June to 15 September
Midsummer at Läckö, 21 June
Medieval market at Läckö, 21-23 June
Läckö kayak meet-up, 28-30 June