Unlike other Vasa castles dotted around Sweden, Örebro Castle has, almost without exception, been re-profiled to suit the times and undergone many facelifts, a bit like a castle ‘complete makeover’ before the television age.

Örebro Castle stands in the centre of this modern town, surrounded by a moat. A defence tower was built here in the 13th century and remained pretty much intact until the Renaissance came along and a new castle was built in 1560. Little remains of the previous versions of the castle, but then again this has always been a castle that reflects the times, politics, styles and fashion of the time in which it stands. Through the ages Örebro Castle has been used - no surprises here - as a prison, a military compound, a royal castle in the 14th and 15th centuries and the Swedish parliament was even convened a few times in days gone by.

There are guided tours, an exhibition centre and this is a very worthwhile sightseeing destination.