Did you know that Huvudsta Gamla Slott is also known as “Mördarslottet” the Murder Castle? Today we’re standing in front of Huvudsta Gamla Slott. This old wooden building has a fascinating sometimes dark history.
Huvudsta Gamla Slott is a wooden structure dating back to 1750. It sits near the northern side of Ulvsunda Lake. The building is about 300 meters northwest of Huvudsta farm in Solna. Originally it was the main building for Huvudsta farm. However it was moved in 1834.
Anders Plomgren a businessman built Huvudsta Gamla Slott as a one-story wooden structure. It stood on a terrace at the current Huvudsta farm. Later in 1834 the house was moved to its present location. This new spot was on a wooded slope northwest of the farm. Peter van Suchtelen the Russian ambassador wanted to build a new main building. So the old one was relocated.
The old main building became housing for four families. Over time the fancy interior disappeared. But the exterior remained largely untouched. This included the windows doors and moldings.
In 1958 Solna city took ownership of the building. By then it had fallen into disrepair. There were plans to tear it down. However after debate the Solna-Råsunda ecclesiastical district purchased and renovated it. During the restoration parts of a 17th-century wooden ceiling were found in the attic. It was painted in gray tones. It featured a floating cherub and the Stenbock coat of arms. This ceiling piece was installed in the entrance hall.
Huvudsta Gamla Slott has another name Mördarslottet. Tradition says that Count Claes Horn Jacob Anckarström Carl Fredrik Pechlin and Adolph Ribbing planned the assassination of Gustav III here in 1792.
Huvudsta farm has belonged to several well-known families. It was also the site of a murder plot. The farm is currently owned by the Wibom family. Today it is used for conferences.
In the 1600s Gustaf Otto Stenbock a naval admiral built a grand yellow-painted wooden castle here. In the 1700s Anders Plomgren who directed the East India Company acquired the farm. He tore down the old house. He built a new rococo-style building. This is the current Huvudsta Gamla Slott.
Through marriage the farm came into the Horn family. Count Claes Fredrik Horn hosted Count Adolph Ludvig Ribbing and Captain Johan Jacob Ankarström. They planned the murder of King Gustav III at Huvudsta Gamla Slott.
In the 1800s Johan Wibom bought Huvudsta farm. He was a brass founder. He lived in one of the wings. He moved the old main building now Huvudsta Gamla Slott northwest of the farm. He built a new main building in Russian-Swedish empire style. It was intended for the Russian ambassador. But the ambassador died before moving in.
Between 1818 and 1825 several buildings were constructed. These included the state building stable barn wings wagon and outhouse wings ice cellar and distillery. These are charming buildings.
After the house was moved the farm’s servants lived here. In 1958 Solna city took over the house. It had fallen into disrepair. After a debate about preserving the house the Solna-Råsunda church association took over. The building was restored. Until the summer of 2018 the preschool Slottet operated here.