The Queen’s Chamber

This room, located at the seaward end of the castle, served as Princess Catherine Jagiellon’s bedroom during her residence at Turku Castle. The cosy residential quarters of the duchess were wood-panelled and were heated with an open fireplace and tiled stove. In addition to Catherine, her chamber maid and some of the court ladies possibly resided in the chamber.

There is a portrait of Catherine on the wall of the room. The painting is a copy of the portrait of Catherine Jagiellon, painted by Lucas Cranach the Younger in about 1556. The portrait painted by Cranach is known to be the only surviving contemporary picture of Catherine. In the portrait, Catherine wears, in keeping with Spanish fashion, a black velvet gown as well as a beret decorated with jewels. The headdress covers her own dark hair, and only the light hair extensions are visible on her temples. Duke John's portrait is also situated on the wall of the chamber.

The chamber was decorated with the duchess's personal items. Candlesticks, a table clock, and a partly gilded, enamelled silver mirror with the princess's coat of arms spoke of the resident's noble birth. The chamber and bath silver were only for Catherine's private use. These included, for example, a pitcher and basins for washing the face and hands.

Catherine's bed was covered with a tent made of luxurious fabrics, which lent its user privacy and protection from the cold. It is known that the duchess had, among other things, a bed tent made of gold-decorated red damask, which included a roof placed over the bed and curtains draped to the sides. The bedding, blankets and pillows were also made of valuable materials such as silk and were lavishly decorated. Large rugs and tapestries were used as carpets, wall hangings and tablecloths.

Settling in the new duchy and home castle was cut short for Catherine, as she only managed to spend about eight months in Turku Castle. King Erik XIV, who succeeded his father, King Gustav Vasa, did not tolerate his brother's independent rule. John’s marriage with the sister of the King of Poland and related political aspirations were deemed excessive. In the summer of 1563, Erik dispatched troops consisting of about 10,000 men to surround the castle. The besieging forces directed cannon fire at the castle, and it is said that at least one of the cannon balls flew directly into this room. The duke’s 1,200 defenders were unable to sustain their defence. In August the castle surrendered, and the duke and duchess were delivered as prisoners to Gripsholm Castle in Sweden.

Catherine resided in captivity with John for four years in Gripsholm Castle. During this period, they had two children, one of whom died at a very young age. King Erik XIV fell into disfavour in the eyes of the people during the imprisonment of the duke and duchess. After this, the tables turned. John rose to power and Erik XIV was imprisoned. In 1569, John was crowned king and Catherine the queen consort.