Millesgården is an art museum and park set on the cliffs of Stockholm’s Lidingö Island. It’s the former home of revered Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and his wife Olga Milles, who was a portrait artist. Come here to visit the rooms where the couple once worked, walk around a sculpture garden and find work by other well-known artists.
Start your visit in the Artist’s Home. Carl and Olga Milles lived and worked here in the 1910s and 1920s. Go to the Red Room to find some of Carl Milles’ most popular sculptures. Among these is the Sunglitter, which portrays a mythological nymph riding a dolphin. Look for a marble sculpture credited to Donatello and German and Austrian wood carvings in the Music Room. In the Monk Cell you can see the studio where Olga Milles worked.
Find more sculptures, pools and fountains in the museum’s terraced garden. Highlights of the Upper Terrace include The Little Triton and The Dancing Girls, both by Carl Milles. Don’t miss Little Austria, an area of the garden with Alpine and Nordic flora. Carl Milles created it as a surprise birthday present for his wife. From the large Lower Terrace enjoy views of central Stockholm. Here, you’ll also find the fountain called Europe and the Bull, which depicts a story about the Greek god Zeus.
Check the museum’s official website for details of temporary art exhibitions. A previous example is the Painters in Normandy exhibition, which featured work by French artists Monet and Renoir.
Located on Lidingö, the Millesgården is a 15-minute drive from Stockholm’s city centre. Free parking is available opposite the museum entrance, but it fills up quickly. Alternatively, take a bus to Torsviks Torg, followed by a short walk to the museum.
The museum is open daily in summer and from Tuesday to Sunday in winter. It’s closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is free for visitors under 19. Guided tours take place in July. There’s an extra charge for an English-speaking guide. See the museum’s official website for full details.
