Construction began at the end of the 12th century as a small fortified stronghold. Birger Jarl is thought to have expanded it into a larger castle. The article names no architect. Raven van Barnekow, a German knight who held it as a fief under Albert of Sweden, made important improvements, and Gustav Vasa strengthened it for defense. A round gun tower from his period survives.
Duke Charles, later Charles IX, rebuilt it into a Renaissance palace in the late 16th century. The article gives no exact date, so the year here is approximate. It names bricks as the only material. The palace burned with the rest of the town in 1665 and was not rebuilt, though parts served as a county residence until the 1760s. The leftover bricks were reused for Stockholm Palace.
Kungstornet and Gamla residenset hold permanent exhibits of the Sörmland museum, and a restaurant uses the banquet hall and Drottningkällaren.
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