DURING my journey around Skane, I had the chance to explore the outskirts of Malmo. The region's countryside is an ideal place to soak in the tranquil Swedish lifestyle.
Here, there are more than 200 castles, fortresses and manors which are an important part of Skane's history. Most of them were constructed during the Danish era (before 1658) when Sweden and Denmark shared tradition and nobility. Some others were built during the prosperous 19th century.
To finance the high maintenance cost of these buildings, the owners transformed many into tourist attractions, by renovating them and offering a variety of attractions and experiences such as restaurants and museums. Although not all of them are open to the public, visitors usually have access to the surrounding parks and stately gardens.
Worth a visit is Svaneholms Slott, a 16th century castle located 26 miles east of Malmo. It is open only at certain
times of the year (between April and October).
The Gothic-Renaissance-style castle was constructed in 1530 on an islet in the Svaneholms Lake and rebuilt several
times over the centuries. Baron Rutger Macklean, a well-respected figure who initiated a major agricultural reform in Sweden, lived here from 1782 to 1816.
From 1933 to 1934, Svaneholms' last private owner, Count Carl Augustin Ehrensvard, restored the castle but shortly after, he passed away and Svaneholms was converted into a museum.
This whole area including the park, garden, lake and surrounding forest is now a protected historic environment, managed by the Svaneholms Castle cooperative society.
The castle's museum is divided into different rooms such as the library, the music salon, the 19th century room, the tool chamber and so forth. Some highlights include exhibitions of lace by Maria Kristoffersson, one of the most famous lace-makers in Sweden, and a collection of local peasant costumes still worn during feasts and holidays today as well as peasant furniture and tools.
The fourth floor was especially interesting. There are exhibits such as The School and The Villie Shop. The School
was moved here in 1942, a century after mandatory schooling was introduced in Sweden. In fact, Baron Macklean
is fondly remembered for establishing compulsory school attendance for children from peasant families who lived in his domains.
The Villie Shop was a small store from the nearby Villie village. Common in the Swedish countryside in early days, such shops sold everything from groceries to boots. In the 1980s, when this shop was closed down, owner
Wilma Persson donated the whole estate including its fixtures, furnishing and merchandise to the Svaneholm Castle's museum.
The castle also has a beautiful restaurant helmed by Chef Christian Videla. The famous Svaneholms Castle Restaurant offers a Euro-Latin menu, showcasing fresh seasonal local ingredients injected with a touch of Latin flavour and spices.
Well worth a detour is the historical Sjobo village. This 19th-century open-air museum is about a 15 minute drive from Svaneholms Castle. Here you can see old windmills, chickens, goats and horses grazing on the open meadows.
For me, it was as if time stood still here. As I wandered around the fragrant herb gardens, I discovered old agricultural methods and life in a traditional farmyard.
The well-preserved farm also presents Skane's living culture heritage and native breeds of livestock. Guided tours can be booked upon request.
When my tour was over, my drive back to Malmo not only showed me glimpses of majestic castle towers, rolling
pastures and idyllic farmland, it also reminded me of the wonderful quality of life that is quintessential in this region.
