Dragongården

Did the dragons ever truly reside at Dragongården? Dragongården isn’t named for mythical beasts. It takes its name from the very real Livregementets dragoner (Life Regiment’s Dragoons). Their offices were once housed in the main building. Dragongården, located on Gärdet in Stockholm, is more than just one structure. It is a complex of buildings. The main building, a stately two-story structure with an attic, was built between 1879 and 1881. Its design, by architect Ernst Jacobsson, showcases plastered facades and sturdy stone construction. Jacobsson also designed the now-demolished Livgardets kaserner (Life Guards barracks). Dragongården has seen many transformations. After the regiment disbanded in 1927, it served the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition. Later, it became a museum. For many years, Dragongården served as the home of Folke Bernadotte and his family. Even after his assassination in 1948 during his mediation work in Palestine, his family remained at Dragongården until the mid-1970s. The building later housed offices for the National Board of Building and the Market Court. In the 1990s, China’s embassy built new structures nearby. Dragongården became fully integrated into the embassy grounds. It now serves as the residence of the Chinese ambassador to Stockholm. Dragongården also has an annex. This 1 ½ story, yellow-painted building sits east of the main structure, outside the embassy grounds. Originally built in 1895 as a market building for the dragoons, it later served as a garage and chauffeur’s residence. By the late 20th century, it was being used as a course venue. As of 2011, it awaited renovation, standing without tenants. Today Dragongården stands as a quiet witness to the passage of time, a place where military history, diplomatic life, and architectural beauty intertwine.