Stockholm Kastellet (1667) is a very special castle.
These days Sweden is a peaceful nation, but it’s had a turbulent past with its neighboring countries of Norway, Denmark, and Poland.
The most distinguishing feature of Kastellet is a forked Swedish flag, flying majestically above the citadel. When this flag is up all is well in Sweden and the country is at peace. A marine is sent to the citadel twice a day, to hoist the flag in the morning and take it down at the end of the day.
The tradition has only been broken twice in the modern era. Once, in 1996, a group of Norwegian expats broke into the building and hoisted up a Norwegian flag for the Norwegian constitution day. This act was quickly resolved as a prank. Another time was in 2008, when, somewhat alarmingly, the flag failed to appear in the morning. However this turned out to be simply because of a broken line on the mast, and fortunately no wars were fought on that day.
I was inspired by the reach history of Swedish Kastellet, so decided to depict it in new style.

Added Dec 2, 2023

Available as prints from €79.72

Reproductions, Canvas prints, Metal Print

Order a print