The story in text:

Welcome to the remains of the old Folkung stronghold of Ymseborg, today in ruins. In the 13th century, it was a rebel stronghold and a thorn in the side of the rulers of the House of Bjelbo. “A gloomy place where injustice always had a home.” In 1250, the last king of the House of Erik dies – Erik the Lisp and Lame. Who would now take over the Swedish throne?

Here at Ymseborg sits Squire Filip, son of a former king, Knut Långe, hatching a plot to take over the Crown. But one man stands in his way – the despicable Birger Jarl – who two years previously had had Filip’s brother beheaded after a failed uprising. Birger Jarl now quickly manages to have his young son Valdemar declared king, aged just 12.

Furious, Filip at Ymseborg plots against the nobleman and his newly-elected son. He first seeks the support of King Håkon of Norway. But when the answer is no, Squire Filip instead recruits troops in Germany and returns to Sweden. In the battle of Herrevadsbro he is defeated however by Birger Jarl, who orders Squire Filip to be beheaded.

Ymseborg is inherited by Filip’s sons, who continue the revolts against the Crown. The best-known, which took place in 1278, led King Magnus Ladulås to lose his patience. Johan and Birger Filipsson were arrested when visiting Gälakvist stronghold in Skara and were taken to Stockholm to be beheaded. Ymseborg was confiscated by the king, and when the property was returned to the family 1282, the stronghold had been razed to the ground. The stormy history of the rebel nest Ymseborg was thereby over and the stronghold was never rebuilt.

The stronghold had its defences concentrated to the square stone tower on top of the rock outcrop offering a vast panorama. You can still see the foundation walls of the 10x10 metre tower. There is also a well which to this day is said to hold water 3 metres deep.

There are also legends of secret subterranean passages and terrifying dungeons.