Bjärsjöholm or Bjersjöholm Castle is a Renaissance castle from the 16th century. Originally consisting of four brick buildings built around a courtyard, the present castle consists of two buildings, with a newer addition close by.
According the excavations there has been a manor already in the Middle Ages. The site is first mentioned in 1344. Since the 14th century it has been owned by families Munk, Rotfeld, Kaas, Ugerup and Thott. In 1668 Bjärsjöholm was acquired by Ebba Brahe, wife of Jacob de la Gardie. After de la Gardies it has belonged for example to the war marshal Otto Wilhelm Königsmarck.
The newer addition on the estate, the Bergsjöholm Castle, was built in Romantic, German style in 1849-50, on a hill just south of the old castle. It is a three-story building flanked by two square towers. In 1890, one of the Renaissance buildings needed extensive renovations and only the gables could be saved.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.