Tidö castle is situated in the middle of practically nowhere - that is, from a city dweller's point of view, about 1,5 hours drive northwest from Stockholm city -, a pretty yet slightly modest looking white building that sports - look carefully - rather bold, for a castle, and snazzy looking red window frames.
The castle, built in 1624, is one of the best preserved Renaissance castles from that era in Sweden. Open to visitors May to August it also hosts a toy museum, a restaurant, a chapel and, of course, a castle shop.
I'd imagine that once upon a time the castle was quite a self sufficient place with it's own bell tower - and yes the surrounding farmers tend to live in the classic Swedish wooden houses red with white corners - as well as...
What beautiful photos! Happy Ruby Tuesday
ReplyDeleteHi, Pia K,
ReplyDeleteSuch rare beauty. You seem to have a talent for spotting wonderful scenery around Stockholm.
Lots of love behind those pictures.
From felisol
The red around the windows adds a bit of colour to an otherwise plain building. The smaller wooden building looks cozier. Interesting that Esso sold gas in Sweden. We have Esso gas in Canada too.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post for this week's Ruby Tuesday. That petrol station has come a long way... I bet if it could talk, it would have lots of stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteMy Ruby Tuesday entries are posted here and here. Happy Tuesday!
I like the castle - like your previous castles, there seems to be an air of quiet, elegant style. Not baroque or Medieval, just simple in a way that hides its true size.
ReplyDeletePlus, red window frames!
I also like the bell tower, in red and stylish as it nestles upon the lay of the land. Swedish beauties, all!
So interesting how the structures of the past seem to tell a story. The old petrol pump is classic.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the old gasoline sign.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ruby Tuesday, Pia!
I love the beautiful landscapes you have captured!
ReplyDeleteThe old Esso gas tank would be worth a great deal to collectors here. We had an Esso station in my hometown when I was growing up.
Castle? I only see it in fairy tales. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd here got a 'ruby' one. ;p
Happy RT.
Hi Pia, wonderful photos! My favorite is the pole with Esso on it.
ReplyDeleteEaton. :)
I love those old gas pumps. Great Rubies!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like such a serene place to visit. You are lucky :)
ReplyDeleteI like the classic Swedish wooden house! It's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe gas pump is so antique. :)
I love the flash that the red windows add. You have to wonder who chose them, I bet they had quite a fun streak hidden away in them.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of that petrol station is stunning! Great find!
ReplyDeleteCool castle. My husband (Ralph) has obviously seen others that you have posted. This is my first time.
ReplyDeleteI like that the castle is so simple.
I love the classic red and white house. It looks cozy.
Neat old petrol pump.
This is an interesting post, thanks for sharing.
Happy Ruby Tuesday!
Bonjour Pia, I like the whole serie. Specially the both last ones, they're so uncommon. I've never seen such bell tower before.
ReplyDeleteAnd this gas station is an antiquity, hope it stays a long time right in the middle of nowhere for the pleasure of the eyes.
I love those wooden houses !
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Belgium !
That castle is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWould like a lot to take a stroll around there.
And that gas pump is great :D!
What a find!
Happy Ruby Tuesday :)
Thanks, ellen b, the same to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Felisol, well said:)
Your EG Tour Guide - the Swedish branch of Esso was actually the oldest oil company in Sweden, founded in 1896. It didn't get the name Esso until 1951 though and in 1985 the company was bought by Norweigan company Statoil and seized to exist under the name Esso in Sweden. Which makes this pump even the more unique.
Glad you thought so, shutterhappyjenn!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ralph, eloquent as always:)
Interesting indeed, Speedycat H, it's not always one thinks of that until the mind begins working while looking at the pictures. I like that part.
Thanks, Pagan S, and the same to you!
Thanks, Carletta! Oh my, clllectors, perhaps I did a disservice mentioning there's one standing in a secluded rural field, huh...;)
oops! i said, beautiful reds! and i just love love red barn kinda houses..makes me miss my own house back home:(
ReplyDeleteAh, here we are blessed with real life castle, Dora, yes even ruby detailed ones, thanks for swinging by:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eaton, seems like your're in good company with that old pump being your favourite:)
Thanks, Miranda, glad you enjoyed.
Oh I am, Olga, at least now and then:)
Pleased you liked what you saw, EasCoastLife.
Great photos, I love the red cottage.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have Esso here in the US. Good to see the logo again. Enjoyed the pictures of the buildings and your stories about them.
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely images even in the midst of winter. They give me a nice glimpse of the rural areas around your home. I'd love to see the castle and its grounds in the middle of summertime, too. I really love the red barn behind the gas pump. It looks so well taken care of. Thanks for visiting my pics! Enjoy the day.
ReplyDeleteI love the petrol station! useful turned art
ReplyDeleteThat's probably true, Robin, they're very unusual, even more so in a building from that era.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jientje!
Glad you enjoyed and found your visit interesting, Patti, welcome back:)
Thanks, Catherine, finding such treasures like that old petrol pump is such a treat so I very much agree with you that it should stay put there for many years to come:)
Mamapippa - thanks for visiting, pleased you liked it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole, for a kind comment!
Thanks, ces, glad you enjoyed the classic red houses.
Thanks, Jan.
Thanks, Amber Star, nice that you enjoyed the visit.
I love your photos♥♥♥
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting...
Beautiful place, I love the ESSO photo!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Pia K,
ReplyDeleteI have missed you for a while, but I am catching up.
Bernie, that guy who doesn't seem to care for fancy hair products has made it so I can be laying on the couch with my lap top and comment on the blogs.
It is so comfortable.
He can have that snooty Shopper sitting on HIS lap!
You have so many classic castles at your finger tips to photograph Pia K.
They are so simple but so beautiful and homey!
I love that Esso station and the bell tower.
Whenever I read about bell towers, I think of the Hunchback of Notre Dame....such a romantic and sad story!
Happy Ruby Tuesday and thank you for your visit.
Maybe I had better get that Bernie of mine a tube of Brylcreem, eh?...Love Terry
Linnea - thanks. Well, a summer visit is most probably on the agenda, ages since I was there during that time with a reasonably good camera, watch for a RT Tidö summer post:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dianne!
I'm glad to hear that, peachkins!
Thanks, tr3nta, yes, you're in good company with that one:)
Thanks for coming by, Terry, pleased you liked what you saw! By the sounds of it you're Bernie is a gem in himself, no brylcreem needed:)