TESSIN, Nicodemus the Elder - b. 1615 Stralsund, d. 1681 Stockholm

Swedish architect. He was born in Stralsund in Pomerania and came to Sweden as a young man. There he met and worked with the architect Simon de la Vallée (active c. 1633-1642 in Sweden). He worked for the Swedish Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna and was appointed court architect in 1649. Shortly after this he undertook a fairly long journey to see the major architectural works of Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands. The impressions he brought back with him were to be endlessly represented in his architecture.

Back in Sweden he rebuilt Borgholm Castle, then built Skokloster Castle and the Wrangel Palace in Stockholm. His most important work was Drottningholm Palace, now a world heritage site.

Upon his death his son Nicodemus Tessin the Younger continued his projects.