The Royal Stables' Buildings
The current Royal Stables buildings were completed in 1894. The architect was the palace official Ernst Jacobsson, assisted by Fritz Eckert. They gave the stables the appearance of a brick mediaeval castle, complete with towers and walls surrounding a grand inner courtyard that burst into bloom in the summertime.
The imposing façades are softened by a wealth of variety and detail, as is characteristic of the architecture of the time. An abundance of rounded towers, graceful window frames and friezes, patterned brickwork and highly elegant, often exquisite wrought ironwork in the stairwells, on the gates and around the balconies all reinforce the overall impression and encourage a closer study of the connected buildings.
The calm and seclusion of the inner courtyard, with its trees and planting, its pond and fountain, and its paths and open spaces, gives the impression of an oasis, effectively shielded from the hustle and bustle of the city.
On Väpnargatan
The courtyard is surrounded by the residential block on Väpnargatan, the stables and garage on Artillerigatan, the manège on Riddargatan and the coach house on Sibyllegatan. The facility houses most of what is needed in order for the Royal Stables to carry out their various duties in a practical manner.
The cars used on a daily basis are cleaned and maintained in the garage. The fleet includes cars for official transport and lorries for carrying horses and general goods.
The Stables
The light and airy stables are home to the 14 driving horses. The horses at the Royal Stables are housed in boxes of just over 12 square metres, with wood shavings as bedding.
The manège
The manège is used for purposes such as manège riding and training young horses. The cast iron roof of the manège was very modern for its time. This has allowed for large openings, letting in plenty of light and making the manège bright and welcoming.
The horsewalker
The horsewalker provides additional opportunities for the horses to exercise. It is run automatically and turns after a while, so that the horses can walk round in both directions.
The blacksmith’s workshop
The blacksmith's workshop is still used. The Royal Stables horses are reshod here. This is also where rubber is reapplied to the carriage wheels.
Photo: Sanna Argus Tirén/Royalpalaces.se
Entry to the Royal Stables. Photo: The Royal Court/Royalpalaces.se
Inner courtyard of the Royal Stables. Photo: Sanna Argus Tirén/Royalpalaces.se
The stables. The horses at the Royal Stables are housed in boxes of just over 12 square metres, with wood shavings as bedding. Photo: Royalpalaces.se
The manège is used for purposes such as manège riding and training young horses. Photo: Royalpalaces.se
The horsewalker provides additional opportunities for the horses to exercise. Photo: Royalpalaces.se
