Södertuna is a medieval castle located on a small island in Lake Frösjön in Gnesta Municipality, Sweden. It dates to the 14th century and is now a luxury hotel and conference center. The main building is of medieval origin, but was updated during the 17th century and the late 18th century. The last major renovation was in 1892.
It has belonged to members of several families: Sparre, Lovisin, Palmenfelt, Ehrensvard, Wachtmeister, Adelborg, and von Eckermann.
The castle and the park were split off in 1985 by the von Eckermann family. The new owners, together with an additional couple of Norwegian investors, made the palace into a hotel and conference center, which was inaugurated in 1986 by Princess Christina. In 2007 the castle was sold to the Åström family, which also operates Dufweholms Manor Inn and Gripsholm.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.