The white facade, the unsettling sculptures standing guard over the gardens, and the park’s swimming pool. The stately Häringe slott, located in Västerhaninge, south of Stockholm, has gone from being a historical gem largely unknown to the general public to becoming a pilgrimage destination for thousands of fans of the hit reality show ‘Förrädarna’ — the Swedish version of ‘The Traitors’.
Since the castle began serving as the backdrop for the competition, requests for visits have not stopped growing. According to Helena Elcar, the venue’s manager, visitors arrive with a very clear idea of what they want to see.
“Many people come specifically to visit the conclave room, the round table, and the dining room where the contestants have breakfast together,” Elcar explains.
Those spaces, which take on an almost dramatic role in the show, have become the most requested stops on any guided tour. The castle, with centuries of history behind it, now combines its architectural heritage with the curiosity sparked by contemporary popular culture — a combination that is proving to be a powerful draw for tourists.
The phenomenon is not unique to Sweden: in other countries where the format airs, filming locations experience notable increases in visitor numbers. However, in the case of Häringe, the impact is particularly striking given the intimate and relatively low-profile character the estate had before its leap to the small screen.
Original source: SVT Nyheter