Salsta Castle

Uppsala · Sweden · Castle

Salsta Castle — Uppsala · Sweden · Castle

Ghosts and mysteries in the Uppland landscape. At first glance, Salsta Castle may appear to be just another historic baroque castle. But behind the thick stone walls and in the ornate rooms hide stories that are anything but ordinary.

Salsta Castle — ghosts and mysteries in the Uppland landscape

At first glance Salsta Castle may look like any other historic baroque residence. But behind the thick stone walls and inside the ornamented rooms are accounts that are anything but ordinary. Many visitors describe unexplained phenomena: the sound of furniture being moved when no one is there, figures that appear and vanish — and the strange bloodstain on the third floor that no one has managed to wash away.

Isabella's room

One of the best-known stories concerns Isabella's room on the third floor. It is known not only for its mysterious stain but for the odd sounds often heard there, as though someone were rearranging the furniture. For those brave enough to open the door, furniture has sometimes been found moved without anyone having entered.

No one knows exactly how the dark stain came to be there, but legend holds it is a trace of a violent event that took place in the room long ago. The woman it is named after, Isabella, is believed to have met a tragic end here. Stepping on the stain is said to bring misfortune, and many carefully avoid going near it.

A former employee recounted hearing scraping sounds from the room. When she opened the door she found the furniture moved, although she had been alone in the building. Similar accounts have accumulated over the years, and the phenomenon seems to repeat itself, particularly when the room has stood undisturbed for a while.

The grey woman and the cellar boy

Several guards and night watchmen have reported encounters with a grey-clad woman said to walk through the halls, especially in the evenings and at night. Her presence is marked by a sudden cold, and on one occasion witnesses tried to touch her only to find their hands passing straight through. She moves silently, without the sound of footsteps, though sometimes the faint rustle of her dress can be heard as she passes through the empty corridors.

In the castle cellar there are accounts of a young boy known as the cellar boy. Visitors report feeling watched when they go down to examine the dark space. Some have heard footsteps behind them although they were alone. The boy's story is obscure, but his presence is felt clearly by those who venture into the cold vaults.

A long and eventful history

Salsta Castle has a history reaching back to the Middle Ages. Originally a moated fortress stood here, positioned strategically by what was then Lake Salsta. Construction of the present baroque castle began in the 1600s and was completed in 1679 under the powerful Count Nils Bielke. Bielke wanted a home reflecting his power and wealth, and the castle took its inspiration from the elegant style of the French baroque.

Its history is not only one of splendour and success. Nils Bielke himself fell from favour after the death of Karl XI and was forced to spend his final years in seclusion at Salsta. He is said to have become a bitter man, tormented by religious brooding. In several places in the castle the harsh inscriptions he left behind can still be read — as in the library, where it says: "Weary of hoping, I await death."

Ghost walks through Salsta

For those who dare, Salsta Castle offers ghost walks where visitors hear about the site's darker history and its strange phenomena. In Isabella's room participants can see the stain for themselves and hear about the many attempts made to remove it, all unsuccessful. Passing through the halls, the guides tell of furniture that moved by itself, doors that opened without explanation, and footsteps that could never be traced.

Another atmospheric stop is the castle chapel, a baroque gem with ornamented detail and a particular atmosphere. Bielke is said to have spent many hours here in prayer and brooding, and some visitors have felt his presence still — as a cold draught sweeping through the room.

The curse of Skaten and the smith Dubb-Hans

The legends do not end at the castle walls. In the forests around Salsta lies a place called Skaten, which during the 1800s was home to a man known as Skat-Pelle. He was notorious for his alleged sorcery and his pact with dark powers. At his funeral a large black beetle is said to have fastened itself to his chest, and no one could remove it. The lands of Skaten have been surrounded by rumours of curses ever since, and many avoid the place.

Nearby is also the grave of Dubb-Hans, where the Walloon smith who took his own life is said to have been laid to rest. His apparition has been seen by several people, with a pale face and sorrowful eyes.

Salsta today

The castle is now owned by the Swedish National Property Board and is a protected building. It often stands silent and stately in its seclusion, but its stories continue to draw the curious.

Bear this in mind as you walk the corridors: when you feel that sudden cold, or hear those footsteps behind you, you may not be as alone as you think.

FAQ

Where is Salsta Castle located?

Salsta Castle is in Uppsala, Sweden.

More haunted places in Uppsala

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.

Image: Governatore / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons