Svaneholms slott

About the museum

Svaneholms slott began to be built around 1530 on an islet in Svaneholmssjön by the Danish councillor of the realm Mourids Jepsen Sparre, who had left an older castle in Skurup. Construction continued with interruptions until 1705, and the castle has a façade that blends Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. Axel Gyllenstierna had the south-eastern wing extended from 1694.

The best-known owner was the baron Rutger Macklean, who inherited the castle in 1782 and carried out on the estate the agricultural reform enskifte (the enclosure reform), a model for the whole of Skåne. Later owners included the Hallenborg and Ehrensvärd families. After the castle was bought in 1882 by Count Carl Augustin Ehrensvärd, it was taken over by a cooperative association, which still owns it.

The castle museum is run by the Wemmenhögs Härads Fornminnes- och hembygdsförening (Wemmenhög Hundred Antiquities and Local History Association), which began collecting textiles in 1924. The museum fills four floors with over 13,000 objects and garments and 350,000 photographic negatives: high-status costumes, furniture of royal provenance, peasant objects, a Macklean room and toys from the 19th century. In another part of the castle is the castle restaurant, and nature trails run around the lake.

Highlights

• A castle museum over four floors with more than 13,000 objects
• Rutger Macklean and the enskifte reform
• High-status costumes, peasant furniture and textiles
• The exhibition Människoöden på Svaneholm (Human Destinies at Svaneholm)
• Toys from the 19th century on the fourth floor
• The castle park and a walking path around Svansjön

Permanent exhibitions

• Rutger Macklean-rummet – An exhibition about the castle's best-known owner, the agrarian reformer Rutger Macklean, and his work on the enskifte.
• Högre stånd – A textile collection with high-status costumes, including those of Countess Eva Ehrensvärd and her family, furniture from the Hallenborg and Wallis families, and furniture of royal provenance.
• Människoöden på Svaneholm – An exhibition about the people who lived and worked on the Svaneholm estate, mainly in the 19th and 20th centuries, from the castle kitchen to coachmen and forest wardens.

Founded

1530

Operated by

Wemmenhögs Härads Fornminnes- och hembygdsförening (museet), Svaneholms Slott Andelsförening (slottet)

Admission & discounts

Members of the museum association have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum in the castle is not adapted for accessibility. Dogs may not come into the museum. The Jaktstigen walking path around Svansjön is adapted for accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum shows toys from the 19th century, and the castle park is suitable for picnics and play. Schools can book educational programmes, for example the time machine, historical workshops and natural-history walks.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies near the E65, about 35 minutes from Malmö and about 40 minutes from Lund.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The castle restaurant is open all year round, with lunch, brunch, goose dinner and a Christmas buffet according to season. Café Rökhuset by the lake is open only in summer. Castle shop with, among other things, pewter objects, books and children's clothes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle restaurant hosts conferences, events, weddings and celebrations.

Plan your visit