Finest castles in Scania, Sweden
Scania (Skåne) was a Danish province from the 12th until 1658, when it was moved as the southernmost part of Sweden. Many of the castles in the area were built or rebuilt in the 16th century and remodeled in the 19th century, often in Dutch Renaissance style.
1. Kärnan
Photo from Flickr, copyright Håkan Dahlström
Kärnan is a medieval tower, the only part remaining of a larger Danish fortress which controlled the entrance to the Baltic Sea.
The origins of the fortress is disputed but Danish legend places its origin to the reign of the legendary King Fróði. However, this legend has not been supported by archaeological proof. Dendrochronological dating has shown that the core was built in the 1310s, when Eric VI of Denmark was King of Denmark. It was considered the most important fortress in Denmark, and was integral in securing control over the strait between Scania and Zealand.
It was surrendered t ...
2. Bosjökloster
Photo from Flickr, copyright Håkan Dahlström
Bosjökloster (Bosjö Abbey) was originally a nunnery, founded in 1080 by the Benedictine Order. The oldest preserved document that mentions Bosjö Abbey was written by Pope Lucius III in 1181, when he confirmed its privileges. According to local legend, the land was donated by Tord Thott, the first known ancestor of the Scanian noble family Thott. The abbey was transformed into a castle in the 16th century, and only parts of the original building remains.
During the Danish Reformation in the 16th century, the nunnery was closed down and the estate became Danish crown property. It ...
3. Svaneholm Castle
Photo from Flickr, copyright Håkan Dahlström
Svaneholm Castle (Svaneholms slott) was initially erected in the 1530s by the Danish knight and royal advisor Mourids Jepsen Sparre. Original murder-holes in the oldest castle walls are still preserved.
During the Middle Ages the residence was called Skurdorp (Skudrup), which was fortified and situated next to the parish church, where remains still can be seen. During the mid-15th century it was owned by guardsman Henning Meyenstorp (Meinstrup) and through marriage it later came to the possession of the Sparre-family. Approximately 1530 the residence was moved from Skurup to an islet in the L ...
4. Glimmingehus
Photo from Flickr, copyright Håkan Dahlström
Glimmingehus, is the best preserved medieval stronghold in Scandinavia. It was built 1499-1506, during an era when Scania formed a vital part of Denmark, and contains many defensive arrangements of the era, such as parapets, false doors and dead-end corridors, 'murder-holes' for pouring boiling pitch over the attackers, moats, drawbridges and various other forms of death traps to surprise trespassers and protect the nobles against peasant uprisings. The lower part of the castle's stone walls are 2.4 meters (94 inches) thick and the upper part 1.8 meters (71 inches).
Construction was started i ...
5. Vittskövle Castle
Vittskövle Castle (also spelt Widtsköfle) is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in the Nordic countries. It has had medieval precursors, but the present castle was built by Jens Brahe in 1553. It is the largest castle in Skåne with approx. 100 rooms. Location and shape were decided out of consideration for defence and the tiled four-winged castle was built on piles in the marsh and supplied with strong square towers surrounded by moats.
By the castle there is a beautiful garden, created by the family architect Adolf Fredrik Barnekow in the later half of the 18th cen ...
6. Trollenäs Castle
Photo from Flickr, copyright Monica Forss
Trollenäs Castle is known since the 14th century, and has been in the ownership of only two families, Thott and Trolle. Originally known as Näs Castle, it was renamed after Trolle family in the 18th century. The current building goes back to 1559 and was in the late 19th century renovated by architect Ferdinand Meldahl to resemble a French Renaissance castle.
There is also a medieval church, Näs old church, near the castle. The castle is open to the public, offering facilities for weddings, conferences, dinners, and other festivities. In the park there is a café.
7. Hovdala Castle
Photo from Flickr, copyright sportigajenny
The oldest parts of Hovdala castle date from the 16th century, although it was first time mentioned already in the 12th century. There are so-called anchoring irons visible on the facade of one of the buildings are marked with the date 1511. Hovdala's gate tower, built in the early 1600's, served as a formidable entrance for the complex. This four-storey structure, with three-foot walls, withstood intensive fighting during Scania's turbulent periods. Hovdala Castle is today a popular visitor attraction and it is managed by the National Board of Antiques.
8. Torup Castle
Torup Castle, completed around 1540, is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Sweden. It was built by Görvel Fadersdotter (Sparre). Torup Castle was restored between 1602-1630 to the the appearance it has today. Later Torup was owned by Stjernblad and Coyet families and since 1970 the Malmö municipality.
On May 21, 1775 a tragic accident occured at Torup Castle. Cornet Fredrich Trolle along with his aunt Frederica Harms and her sisters Brita Sophia Trolle and Elisabeth Augusta Trolle went on a rowing trip in Castle lake. The boat capsized and despite the rapid rescue attempt ...
9. Trolleholm Castle
Photo from Flickr, copyright Hofverberg Photography
Trolleholm Castle (Trolleholms slott) was originally named Kattesnabbe and later Ericholm. It has been known since 1424, and was a monastic estate in the late Middle Ages. Trolleholm belonged to members of the Thott family (1533-1680) and Trolle family (1680-1806). Frederik Trolle (1693-1770) gave it its present name in 1755. The castle was reconstructed in the 1760s according the design of Carl Hårleman. The present appearance date from the late 19th century, when Trolleholm was renewed in the early Renaissance style.
During 1806 was the estate by inheritance to the family, who still o ...
10. Skarhult Castle
Photo from Flickr, copyright Håkan Dahlström
The magnificent Skarthult Castle was built in the 1560s in the Renaissance style by Sten Skarholt Rosensparre, althoughs some parts remain from the elder fortification. An earlier building on the same place is mentioned in the 1350s when Danish judge John Nielsen owned the farm.
Later Skarhult castle was owned by famous noble families Brahe and De la Gardie. It was renewed in 1840s when owned by Jules von Schwer. The medieval Skarhult church is located to the castle park. Today Skarhult is privately owned and not open to the public.