Skjoldenaesholm Castle, Jystrup, Denmark

Skjoldenæsholm Castle was originally located 1.5 km to the south of the current house. Skjoldenæs is first recorded in the 1340s when it was owned by the crown and referred to as a 'castle of considerable size'. King Christopher II mortaged the estate to John III, Count of Holstein-Plön. King Valdemar IV can with certainty be linked to the locale, in either 1346 or 1348, when he besieged the castle.

The medieval castle was demolished in 1567 but a castle bank surrounded by moats can still be seen at the site today. The estate was crown land for an extended period of time, held in fee by various members of the Danish nobility until 1662 when it was ceded to the King's rentemester Henrik Müller. Over the next few years, between 1663 and 1666, Müller completed a new manor house, half-timbered and in one storey, at the site of the current main building.

After Müller's death in 1682, the estate was reacquired by the king, Christian V, who the following year gave it to his half-brother Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, who also owned the Gyldenløve Mansion in Copenhagen as well as several other estates in Denmark and in Norway. After his death, Skjoldenæsjolm remained in his family for almost a century. Count Ferdinand Anton Danneskiold-Laurvig, Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve's son, owned the property from 1720 until his death in 1754. Anna Joachimine Danneskiold-Laurvig, the widow after his son, replaced the old main wing with the one seen today in 1766.

Anna Joachimine Danneskiold-Laurvig was the last member of the family to own Skjoldenæsholm, selling the property in 1794, shortly before her death the following year. The buyer was Anna Marie Bruun de Neergaard (née Møller) and Skjoldenæsholm has remained in the Bruun de Neergaard's ownership. The main building was in 1971 converted into a conference centre. Today estate covers 1,272 hectares of land, including Skjoldenæsholm Tramway Museum which was founded in 1978 and a golf course. The rest consists mainly of forest.

The sober Neoclassical main wing from 1766 stands in washed, yellow brick. The architect is not known but may have been Philip de Lange. Originally, the red hip roof also covered the three-bay median risalits, found on both sides of the main wing, which received their triangular pediment in connection with a major renovation in 1703. The renovation also added a new east wing and gave the old half-timbered west wing a new facade in masonry towards the courtyard, which matched it. The interior displays several fine examples of 18th-century period decorations.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Andreas De Neergaard (6 months ago)
The standard of the rooms are a bit dated. But if you spend the time in the common areas it will not bother you.

Susan Perkes (3 years ago)
Lovely historic building and lake. Swim, take out a rowing boat or just relax and ènjoy the view.

Petteri Pertola (5 years ago)
Very cozy mansion getaway by a beautiful little lake. Old style rooms with pavilion beds. The three course meal was delicious! Nearby the team museum which is absolutely worth a visit!

Henrik Larsen (5 years ago)
Went to stay for a single night, location is in a beautiful place with loads of nature and a very good hiking path around the lake, if you can find it (ask at reception if in doubt). We had a room with a view to the lake which was great, there were a little cobwebs and an empty shampoo bottle, else the room was clean and tidy. We had their three course dinner at the hotel which was good, nothing mindblowing, but you'll get a nice satisfying meal with plenty of different wines to select from. The breakfast was very standard, but ok. All in all a nice stay, friendly staff, great location, would recommend to anyone.

Rebaz Joanroy (6 years ago)
This place have a royal and antique look which is great. Quite awesome atmosphere and relaxed nature surrounding. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The room are clean and nice with its own bathroom. I have had both lunch and dinner there which was tasty and delicious. I warmly recommend the place for couples to stay and spend a lovely time her.

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