Aranäs Borgruin

Castle ruins with a beautiful location by Lake Vänern

Aranäs was once one of Sweden’s oldest and most distinguished royal castles. It was built on a site where an earlier building had stood, which had most likely been destroyed by fire, as archaeological finds indicate.

Towards the end of the 12th century, the fortified keep was constructed. It consists of a granite foundation built directly onto the bedrock, with substantial walls and finely cut sandstone blocks featuring a beautifully crafted plinth. The surrounding curtain wall, approximately 30 metres in length, was added at a later date. The castle complex as a whole was constructed between 1150 and 1304.

Among the discoveries made during the excavations was a helmet believed to have belonged to a knight. It is quite possible that it belonged to the castle's own lord, Torgil Knutsson, a member of the Swedish Council of the Realm, marshal and knight.

Parking

There is a designated parking area where visitors can park their car. From the car park, the ruins are a few hundred metres away on foot. The route to the castle ruins follows the edge of a field and passes through cattle grazing areas.

Please bear in mind that people live in the nearby houses and respect their private property and surroundings.