Did you know that Huvudsta is more than just a metro stop? It is a place steeped in history and whispers of royal intrigue. Huvudsta is a suburb of Stockholm in Solna Municipality. We are standing in Huvudsta.
Let’s journey back to the 17th century. Imperial Admiral Count Gustaf Otto Stenbock erected a magnificent yellow painted wooden castle here in 1651. Fast forward to the 18th century. The estate was owned by Mr. Anders Plomgren. He directed the East India Company. Plomgren demolished the old house and built a new rococo style building. It is now known as Huvudsta Old Castle.
Here’s a chilling fact. Count Claes Fredrik Horn owned the estate later. Count Adolph Ludvig Ribbing and Captain Johan Jacob Ankarström plotted the assassination of King Gustav III right here. Huvudsta Old Castle is sometimes called the Murderer’s Castle because of this. Can you imagine the hushed tones and secret meetings? They were planning a deed that would forever alter Swedish history.
The story of Huvudsta doesn’t end with murder plots and royal drama. In the 19th century Johan Wibom bought Huvudsta farm in 1817. He was a gelbuter. That is a craftsman who casts brass objects. Wibom settled in one of the wings. He moved the old main building northwest of the farm. Wibom built a new main building in the Russian Swedish Empire style. The idea was for the Russian ambassador to live here. Sadly the ambassador died before he could move in.
Huvudsta farm remains in the Wibom family’s ownership today. It is inhabited by the 6th, 7th and 8th generations. That’s quite a legacy. In addition to the main building and wings Huvudsta farm has many other buildings. The state building stables barn wings carriage and outbuilding wings ice cellar and distillery were built between 1818 and 1825.
Huvudsta Old Castle is a wooden building from the 18th century. Today it is located about 300 metres northeast of Huvudsta Farm. After the house was moved farm servants lived here. In 1958 the City of Solna took over the house. It had fallen into disrepair. There was a plan to demolish it. After a debate about its preservation the Solna Råsunda church community took over. The building was restored. Until the summer of 2018 the Slottet preschool was run here.
Right next to Huvudsta farm is Hufvudsta riding school. You always see horses here. Children young people and adults ride here. Not far from Huvudsta Gård you will also find a Pep Park. A Pep Park is designed to inspire children young people and adults to play move and exercise every day.
There is also Augustendal 4H farm right next to Pep Parken. There are various domesticated animals. Children can learn how to take care of the animals here.
There is also a café and a swimming pool in the area. The café is right by the water. The swimming pool has a large outdoor pool just above it. You can also walk along Lake Ulvsunda. If you go north you can walk all the way to Sundbyberg. If you go south you will pass restaurants. You will reach Karlberg Castle and then enter Stockholm.
So as you explore Huvudsta remember that you are walking through layers of history. You are surrounded by stories of ambition murder and enduring family legacies. The Huvudsta metro station opened in 1985. It is part of the Blue line. The suburb is connected to Ulvsunda by the Huvudstabron. Huvudsta is more than just a place on a map. It’s a living breathing testament to the past.