Details
Founded: 1882-1885Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)
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Malmgård is one of the most magnificent manor houses in Finland. The history began in 1606 when Carl IX of Sweden donated 30 local farms to Estonian war widow Catharina Hess von Wichdorff. She later married Ernst (Larsson) Creutz from the near Suur-Sarvilahti manor house and Malmgård was merged to the property of Creutz family .
The current main building was built between 1882-1885 by governor Carl Magnus Creutz. The architect was F. A. Sjöström, who designed it in a Dutch Neo-Renaissance style.
Today Malmgård is still privately owned by the Creutz family. They farm organic food and there’s also a local brewery. Beers and can be tasted in the manor restaurant. Guided tours in manor house are available for groups from April to September (visits have to be reserved in advance).
The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.
In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.