riddarhus

Riddarhus, or Riddarhuset in Swedish, refers to both the House of Nobility and the building that houses it in Stockholm. The term means “house of knights” and is used for the historic institution representing the Swedish nobility as well as for the Baroque-style complex on Riddarholmen.

Historically, the nobility formed an estate within the Riksdag of the Estates, and the House of Nobility acted as its corporate body, managing affairs related to noble families, heraldry, and privileges. The Riddarhuset served as the political seat of the nobility for much of Sweden’s early modern period. After parliamentary reforms in the 19th century ended the estate-based system, the political power of the nobility diminished, though the Riddarhuset continues as a genealogical and ceremonial institution and maintains the noble archives and heraldic records.

The Riddarhuset building is a notable example of Swedish Baroque architecture located on Riddarholmen in Stockholm, near the city’s medieval church precinct. Its interiors include ceremonial halls, rooms decorated with portraits and coats of arms, and the Riddarhusarkivet, the archive of noble families. Today the house preserves genealogical material and serves ceremonial functions, while also offering insight into Sweden’s aristocratic history.

Public access and significance: the Riddarhuset remains a symbol of Sweden’s historical nobility and a repository of noble genealogies. It is used for official ceremonies and events and is accessible to visitors on select occasions, contributing to the preservation of Sweden’s cultural heritage.