The history of Klågerup estate dates from the early 15th century, when it was owned by Peter Spoldener and his son. In the 18th century buildings were in bad shape and in 1737 Fredrik Trolle started an extensive restoration. The present main building got its appearance in 1858, when it was rebuilt to the French Renaissance style by architect Helgo Zettervall. Klågerup was a center of local peasant riots in 1811. The rebellion was defeated however in few days. Today there is a small doll museum in the wing of Klågerup castle. It is open by appointment only.
References:Peasants revolt. They don't riot. Typical bourgeois jargon. I finally saw the excellent musical 1811 by Rolf Hellmark and Lars Johansson and left flowers at the monument in June of 2011. We will always remember MÃ¥rten Bengtsson who made the supreme sacrifice.
The Castle of Gruyères is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It was built between 1270 and 1282, following the typical square plan of the fortifications in Savoy. It was the property of the Counts of Gruyères until the bankruptcy of the Count Michel in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom. From 1555 to 1798 the castle became residence to the bailiffs and then to the prefects sent by Fribourg.
In 1849 the castle was sold to the Bovy and Balland families, who used the castle as their summer residency and restored it. The castle was then bought back by the canton of Fribourg in 1938, made into a museum and opened to the public. Since 1993, a foundation ensures the conservation as well as the highlighting of the building and the art collection.
The castle is the home of three capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece. They were part of the war booty captured by the Swiss Confederates (which included troops from Gruyères) at the Battle of Morat against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1476. As Charles the Bold was celebrating the anniversary of his father's death, one of the capes is a black velvet sacerdotal vestment with Philip the Good's emblem sewn into it.
A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.