Life in Skaraborg Stories Where is the fortres...

Where is the fortress in Skaraborg?

‘Borg’ is the Swedish word for ‘fort’. So Skaraborg is a word formed from the town name Skara and the word ‘fort’. But where is the fort today? That’s a really good question! Skaraborg has a rich history, with many remains of fortresses and several grand castles that still stand today. However, the particular fortress - or rather castle, as it actually was - that gave Skaraborg its name no longer exists.

The castle was built in the 16th century and, as the name suggests, it was located in Skara, at least until it was burned down by the Danes in 1612. A decision was quickly made to rebuild it. Even though reconstruction had not yet begun, it was used in Axel Oxenstierna’s administrative reform in 1634 to give its name to the county: Skaraborg County was established.

The governor who was supposed to reside at Skara Castle had to stay temporarily at other large estates in the area and in 1660 moved into Marieholm Royal Manor in Mariestad. This temporary solution became permanent when the decision to rebuild Skara Castle was revoked, and Mariestad replaced Skara as the county’s administrative centre.

So the burned-down fortress (which was actually a castle) had already disappeared before it gave its name to the place called Skaraborg.

If you’re curious about what the castle looked like, there is a model on display at the Västergötland Museum. And can you guess where it’s located? In Skara, of course!