Stegeborg Castle

Stegeborg Castle, now in ruins, is located in the municipality of Söderköping, Sweden, on an island in an inlet of the Baltic Sea.

 

Among the best-preserved castle ruins is a 13th-century square tower located at the southeast corner of the complex.

 

Here, Querini’s visit to the feudal lord Zuanne Franco (Venetian, known in Sweden as Johan Vale) is re-enacted.

 

On the return voyage, Querini and the other sailors stayed with Zuan Franco for about 40 days, and in this context Querini said of Franco: “This gentleman inquired after our shipwreck and comforted and helped us with such fervour that nothing better could be imagined, so obliging was he in his nature and manners”.