Fancy a stroll through royal history? Welcome to Hagaparken. This vast nature area offers lawns, woods, and gardens. It is located in Solna Municipality, north of Stockholm. Locals simply call it Haga.
Hagaparken sits along Brunnsviken’s western shoreline. It is part of the Royal National City Park. The park boasts several interesting buildings. These include Haga Palace, King Gustav III’s Pavilion, and the Chinese Pavilion. Also find the Haga Echo Temple and the Turkish Kiosk here.
Don’t miss the Haga Palace Ruins. Despite the name, it is not really a ruin. It is the remains of an unfinished palace. The peculiar Copper Tents and the Butterfly House also call Haga home. The Royal Burial Ground has been here since 1922. Members of the Swedish Royal family rest here. Ulriksdal Palace is also situated in Hagaparken.
The master plan for Hagaparken’s development came from architect Fredrik Magnus Piper. King Gustav III favored Hagaparken. He developed it between 1780 and 1797. Carl Michael Bellman, a troubadour, is associated with Haga. His compositions and poems often mention it. His song “Fjäriln vingad syns på Haga” is dedicated to the park.
Hagaparken became a state building monument in 1935. It has been part of the Royal National City Park since 1994. Today, the State Property Agency and the Royal Djurgården Administration manage it.
When King Gustav III bought the land, it was rural. Haga means “pasture”. Today, it is near downtown Stockholm. It provides green lawns, forests, and meadows to the urban environment.
King Gustav III’s creation of Haga Park reflects the Gustavian era. Haga Park, King Gustav III, and Swedish politics are intertwined. Haga’s creation was a reaction to politics. It was shaped by the King’s changing ideals.
The King used Haga as a private retreat. Only invited guests could enter. The Queen was seldom invited. Here, the King could escape political intrigues. Preparations for important events took place at Haga. The King controlled who knew what and when. No official record was kept of events at Haga. Few guests risked future invitations by talking about their experiences.
Life at Haga was informal. The King shrugged off duties here. He preferred a simpler life in the countryside. Plans for the Grand Palace at Haga changed with Gustav III’s political situation. It was envisioned as a private escape. The palace grew to represent the monarchy. No building in Sweden could compare in size or grandeur.
The King planned the park immediately after buying Haga Farm. The plans imitated Versailles. Work began on paths and bridges. Countless trees were planted.
Landscape Architect Fredrik Magnus Piper drew plans for a large park. Piper introduced the romantic English garden to Sweden. Winding pathways and artfully placed follies replaced formal gardens.
In a few years, 25,000 trees were planted. Canals created islands. The terrain was molded. Piper wrote that the park should resemble beautiful nature.
Follies create destinations within a park. Short glimpses of them create excitement. Views between follies increase the feeling of expansiveness. They provide shelter and a place for picnics.
The Copper Tents once served as barracks for the King’s guard. The Turkish Pavilion was used for parties and meetings. The war on Russia was planned here.
The King designed the Eco Temple. It was used as a summer dining room.
Guests were originally housed in cottages. They complained about the rustic lodging. A larger guesthouse was built. It was later converted into a large orangery and greenhouse.
Gustavian is a defined style in Swedish architecture. Gustav III’s Pavilion is a masterpiece of Gustavian design. The Pavilion was designed as a private retreat.
The King used the Brahelund farmhouse as a starting point for the Pavilion. A glass wall brings the outside in. Large mirrors multiply the light and view. The exterior is simple but elegant.
Louis Masreliez drew every interior surface in the Pavilion. He coordinated with furniture makers. The interiors are influenced by Greek and Roman mythology.
The Grand Palace project grew to immense proportions. The King wanted to combine the royal palace with a museum for his sculpture collection.
Work on the Grand Palace halted after Gustav III’s assassination in 1792. The foundation and basement were left unfinished. Today, they are visible from satellite photos.
King Gustav IV Adolf built a new palace at Haga Park. It was meant for his children. Carl Christoffer Gjörwell designed the modest palace.
Today, Hagaparken is considered Europe’s best preserved romantic English garden. It is a beautiful landscape for walks and picnics. It provides a counterpoint to the dense city.
Stockholmers cherish Haga Park. It offers groomed lawns and surprising stretches of forest. It is hard to believe such primal forest is so close to the city. Enjoy your visit to Hagaparken.