Wånas Castle, Knislinge, Sweden

Wanås Manor, first owned by Squire Eskild Aagesen (around 1440), has one of the most fascinating histories of all of Skåne’s stately homes. Its geographical location left Wanås vulnerable during the Swedish-Danish wars, and the original castle was burned to the ground in the Northern Seven Years’ War. A new building erected in 1566 incorporated what remained of the old one. Drawings from 1680 show the manor house more or less as it appears today.

During the Snapphane wars Wanås was a centre for the Danish resistance and their enemies were hanged from the 500-year-old oak that still stands in the Park. After the turbulent years of war, extensive repairs were undertaken by Baroness Lena Sofia von Putbus, whose initials can be seen on the eastern gable of the main building. The old cowsheds and stables were built by Betty Jennings between 1756 and 1760. Since the early 1800s Wanås has been owned by the Wachtmeister family. The castle is today a private home. The park is open to the public.

References:

The Wanås Foundation

User Reviews

René Fanø Pedersen (5 years ago)
Fantastic Art Park. The Restaurant is a little pricy.

Charles Ley (5 years ago)
World class outdoor artworks. A real gem!

Magnus Larsson (5 years ago)
The guided tour was excellent and the restaurant was good.

Marcin Zielinski (5 years ago)
Extremely nice place for one day trip with family and kids. Restaurant with good food and local beer, affordable. The main attraction is the art exhibition in the park. Quite amazing with almost 100 art pieces. Recommended even for those who are not into modern art.

Paul Malmheden (5 years ago)
Great art in the park, lots of new and old artworks, dont miss the aforismwall.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright joiseyshowaa

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Broch of Gurness

The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.

The remains of the central tower are up to 3.6 metres high, and the stone walls are up to 4.1 metres thick.

Wånas Castle

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