Details
Founded: 1577Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Denmark
Historical period: Early Modern Denmark (Denmark)
User Reviews
The origin of the name Torbemfeldt is unclear but it may refer to Torben Nielsen (died 1310) who was married to a sister of Marsk Stig's first wife. Torbensfeldt is first mentioned in 1377. Early owners include members of the noble Moltke, Gøye and Brahe families. In 1668 the estate was acquired by King Frederick III who renamed it Frydendal. The king died in 1670 and his son Prince George ceded the estate to Christoffer Parsberg in exchange for Jungshoved at Vordingborg in 1671. An important figure in the central administration, Parsberg was created count that same year. However, he died just a few months later and the property was then owned by different noble families before being acquired by Christian Rosenkilde Treschow in 1873. Torbenfeldt has been owned by members of the Treschow family since then. The name of the estate was changed back to Torbenfeldt in 1906.
The three-winged main building is located on an artificial island in a small lake and reflects the long history of the property. Part of the south wing dates from the 15th century but was altered and expanded with a tower in the 1650s. The eastern gate wing is from 1577 but was adapted in 1755. The north wing is from 1767 except for the corner tower which is from 1906 when the entire complex was restored by C. M. Smidt. Frydendal Church is located closeby.
The Château d'Olhain is probably the most famous castle of the Artois region. It is located in the middle of a lake which reflects its picturesque towers and curtain walls. It was also a major stronghold for the Artois in medieval times and testimony to the power of the Olhain family, first mentioned from the 12th century.
The existence of the castle was known early in the 13th century, but the present construction is largely the work of Jean de Nielles, who married Marie d’Olhain at the end of the 15th century.
The marriage of Alix Nielles to Jean de Berghes, Grand Veneur de France (master of hounds) to the King, meant the castle passed to this family, who kept it for more than 450 years. Once confiscated by Charles Quint, it suffered during the wars that ravaged the Artois. Besieged in 1641 by the French, it was partly demolished by the Spaniards in 1654, and finally blown-up and taken by the Dutch in 1710. Restored in 1830, it was abandoned after 1870, and sold by the last Prince of Berghes in 1900. There is also evidence that one of the castles occupants was related to Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, the person Alexandre Dumas based his Three Musketeers charictor d'Artagnan on.
During the World War I and World War II, the castle was requisitioned first by French troops, then Canadian and British soldiers. The current owner has restored the castle to its former glory.