Sofiero Palace and Gardens - Sofiero Slott & Slottspark

A palace and gardens just north of Helsingborg – a riot of colourful flowers, and renowned as one of Europe's largest collections of rhododendrons.

Few Swedish palaces can boast a more beautiful setting. Perched atop a ravine of rhododendrons, with its views over the Sound, the palace is surrounded by velvety lawns, lush green trees and dazzling flowerbeds. Today, there are around 10,000 rhododendron bushes of 500 varieties bursting into bloom every May and June.

It all started with a royal passion. Sofiero Palace was King Gustav VI Adolf's summer residence throughout his adult life. Several members of the royal family shared a keen interest in flowers, resulting in the palace garden becoming a unique showcase for roses, lilies, primulas and, above all, rhododendrons.

Gustav VI Adolf bequeathed Sofiero to Helsingborg Municipality in his will, and since the 1970s the town's master gardeners have tended his legacy of flowers and plants so skilfully that hundreds of thousands of visitors now come each year to enjoy the gardens.

But they are also drawn by fascinating exhibitions, concerts and other events which are held from early spring until Christmas time. One such highlight is the traditional Grand Garden Festival, held each August.

The Flower & Garden Shop has everything for the green-fingered visitor, and the Sofiero Palace Restaurant is one of the top rated places to eat in the whole of Sweden.

Sofiero Palace park was in 2010 awarded the prestigious title of "Europe's most beautiful park".

History
In 1864 Crown Prince Oscar and his wife Sophia bought the Skabelycke homestead, situated to the north of Helsingborg, and built their summer castle Sofiero there. The Castle was completed in the following year. In 1905, the year the Swedish-Norwegian Union was dissolved, Oscar II gave the Castle to his eldest grandchild, Prince Gustaf Adolf and his wife Margareta as a wedding present. The Castle was in need of renovation, and this was carried out. Walls were knocked down and the dark colours were replaced to give the Castle a lighter, more airy atmosphere.

Crown Princess Margareta died at a young age in 1920, and Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf married Lady Louise Mountbatten. In 1950 they became King and Queen. Louise devoted herself to the people at Sofiero and those living in the neighbourhood with the same enthusiasm that Margareta had devoted to the garden.

The Crown Prince couple Margareta and Gustaf Adolf began to plan, sketch and carry out the work of improving the grounds surrounding the Castle. Gustaf Adolf loved his summer castle and spent much time and much energy on cultivating his interest for, amongst other things, rhododendrons. It is not least this collection of rhododendrons that has made the castle garden famous. In 1993 a radical renovation of the Castle itself was carried out. The roof was replaced, the façade and windows were restored, while the interior was retained in its original design. Now in addition to the garden we can also see something of the royal life indoors. You can wander from room to room and see different style epochs from over a century in the interior (April-Sept). Crown Princess Margareta's importance as an artist and landscape gardener is shown, and we become acquainted with Gustav Adolf as a scientist and rhododendron enthusiast. We can also see the royal family's summer life: guests, parties and bathing.

• www.sofiero.se