As Sweden marks Victoria Day today, the first events will be held at Solliden Palace on the island of Öland.
Solliden Palace is the personal, private property of King Carl XVI Gustaf and serves as the summer residence of the Swedish Royal Family. That is why each 14 July, Victoridagen (Victoria Day in Swedish) begins in the gardens of the palace, where people line up in the early morning to wish Crown Princess Victoria well on her birthday.
The palace was built in the early 1900s on the initiative of Queen Victoria, who was inspired by the Italian villa San Michele on Capri owned by Swedish doctor Axel Munthe. It broke ground in 1903, and the Crown Princess (as she was then known) moved in in 1906. Victoria was not in good health and felt that the drier climate on Öland helped her symptoms.
Upon her death, her husband Gustaf V inherited the palace that had been decorated with statues and tiled stoves from Italy. It was then opened to the public, and Gustaf V later left the palace to the now reigning King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The King manages the property, and the palace is still open to the public at times throughout the year.
Information on visiting the palace and its gardens can be found here.
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