The Royal Court

The World Heritage Drottningholm

Drottningholm Palace. Photo: The Royal Court/Alexis Daflos.
The Royal Domain of Drottningholm is a well-preserved palace and grounds from the 1600s and 1700s, inspired by French models such as the Chateau of Versailles.

The Chinese Pavilion and the unique Court Theatre are particularly valuable parts of the Drottningholm domain. The Theatre auditorium remains unchanged since its completion in 1766.

In 1991, Drottningholm was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List of places that are of outstanding universal value to humanity, representing the best examples of the world´s cultural and natural heritage.

UNESCO inscribed Drottningholm on the World Heritage list for the following reason: The ensemble of Drottningholm - palace, theatre, Chinese pavilion and gardens - is the best example of a royal residence built in the 18th century in Sweden and is representative of all European architecture of that period, heir to the influences exerted by the Chateau of Versailles on the construction of royal residences in western, central and northern Europe.
 

What is World Heritage?


In order to protect the world´s most valuable cultural and natural heritage the UN organisation UNESCO inscribes places or properties to the World Heritage list. Nominations must come from the country where the property is located and according to UNESCO conventions are bound to care for and preserve their world heritage sites as well as a duty to collectively support other countries with the same.

Properties inscribed on UNESCO´s World Heritage list are of outstanding universal value to humanity, including environments, buildings and landscapes. The UNESCO convention was adopted in 1972 and Sweden signed the convention in 1984. In October 2005 the list included more than 800 objects, of which 14 are in Sweden.

Visit us


The palace grounds are open year round. See respective tourist destinations at Drottningholm Palace and the Chinese Pavilion for opening hours.