Glimmingehus - Nordens bäst bevarade medeltidsborg

Writer: Helena Bergström

Glimmingehus in Skåne is the best preserved medieval castle in the Nordic region. Built at the end of the 15th century, when Skåne belonged to Denmark, the castle was an exclusive residence with everything from modern heating solutions to aggressive defence.

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Glimmingehus in Skåne

Glimmingehus is located in Österlen in south-eastern Skåne, about 15 kilometres south-west of Simrishamn.

Glimmingehus - a knight's castle with luxury and death traps

Glimmingehus was built between 1499 and 1505 by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, at a time when Scania was part of Denmark. Jens Holgersen was one of the Danish king's closest men and one of the greatest naval warriors of the time. He was very rich and married into powerful families to gain even more power and wealth.

Together with his second wife, Margareta Arvidsdotter Trolle, he owned a number of castles and mansions. But Glimmingehus was something very special - a state-of-the-art knight's castle where the couple and their eight children lived a life of luxury and opulence. It featured the latest amenities in the form of hot air heating systems and 'toilets', where you did your business straight out of the high floors.

Those who were invited to a party could be served in glasses and exclusive porcelain from southern Europe. For those who were not invited, the reception could be a party. completely Other. The castle was equipped with bullet holes for firearms, trapdoors and 'scalding holes', where hot liquids could be poured over potential attackers.

Jens Holgersson lived in a time of harshness and violence, yet he was known to be harsher and more violent than anyone else. He taxed everyone he could, down to the smallest fishing hut, and had anyone who displeased him imprisoned.

An attempt to demolish Glimmingehus

After Jens Holgersson's death, the descendants lived there for a few generations before moving to more modern buildings in the courtyard. Although the castle became obsolete, it was considered one of Skåne's most important strongholds during the Scanian War in the 17th century. In 1676, the Charles XI ordered the castle to be demolished to avoid it falling into the hands of the Danish king.

Johan Hintzke, a lieutenant colonel in the Swedish army, was commissioned to demolish the castle. He was assisted by a number of farmers with simple tools, and the work proved insurmountable. Instead, they focused on making the castle unusable by removing the doors and trapdoors.

Fortunately, the castle was never demolished and still stands today. In the picture below, you can see what it is believed to have looked like in its glory days.

Visiting Glimmingehus

Visiting Glimmingehus provides an interesting and exciting insight into history. Currently, visits to both the area and the castle are free of charge. However, you should check the opening hours carefully as these can vary, and because sometimes it is closed to the public when schools are booked.

Sometimes there are also guided tours, but when we were here it was just free to walk around and see for yourself. Here are some photos of the "Frustugan", the most ornate room in the castle.

In the stairwell you will find the Giant or 'Wild Man' as it is also known. The sculpture was carved by Adam van Düren in 1500.

In the area outside the castle you can see a herb garden, with things that may have been grown at Glimmingehus in the early 16th century, and a building that has been used in various educational contexts.

Museum

There is also a small museum in the courtyard and this was interesting to visit. It consists almost only of texts on walls, and yet they manage to capture you with stories about various important people in the history of Glimmingehus.

Here you can read about several different human destinies, such as the noblewoman Maria Sofia Skogh, who spent 12 years in a camp in Siberia. You can also read about "The Lady of Glimmingehus" who was an unusual woman for her time. She was accused of mismanaging the farm and the animals, but also took an interest in history and was particularly fond of the statue of the 'Wild Man', which had to be kissed when it was passed.

See more in the neighbourhood

In the neighbourhood of Glimmingehus, you can visit Simrishamn and Ystad. Don't miss the exciting Ales stones or the fine sandy beaches in and around Sandhammers. If you want to see even more of Skåne, you can head north to the lovely and cosy Åhus.

Facts about Glimmingehus

Address: Borgvägen 6, Hammenhög
Municipality: Municipality of Simrishamn
County: Skåne County
Landscape: Skåne
Location: Southeastern Skåne, about 15 km southwest of Simrishamn.
Developer: Jens Holgersen Ulfstand
Architect: Adam van Düren
Start of construction: 1499
Completion: 1505
Owners: State Property Agency
Trustee: Swedish National Heritage Board
Read more: You can find more information at Swedish National Heritage Board.

Tours and activities

Views: Tours are given at certain times, and sometimes in English and German. See the website for up-to-date information.
Group tours: Group tours can be pre-booked.
Museum: There are museums that tell the story of people and events in the history of Glimmingehus.
Lectures: Lectures are occasionally given. In spring 2021, these will be given via Facebook.
Activities: For example, sports holiday activities are organised. During the pandemic, these are organised digitally.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: For current opening hours, see the Swedish National Heritage Board's website. Sometimes the castle is closed to others due to visiting school classes.
Prices: Until further notice, since March 2021, entry to both the site and the castle is free.
Shop: The museum shop offers souvenirs, coffee, ice cream and more.
Food service: There is currently no one running Café Borggården.
Toilets: Toilets are available.
Parking: Free parking is available.

Finding Glimmingehus

Car: Drive to Hammenhög. From the centre of Hammenhög it is about 5 kilometres. Follow the signs.
Public transport: Travel by public transport must be booked in advance, via the Skånetrafiken website. The stop is Glimmingehus Borgvägen.

History at Glimmingehus

1250-1360: The Danish Civil War was raging, and during this time a first castle was probably built.
1499: The construction of Glimmingehus began, by the Danish councillor and knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand. The master stonemason was Adam van Düren, who also worked at Lund Cathedral.

16th to 17th century

1523: However, Jens Holgersen Ulfstand.
End of the 16th century: The castle stopped being used as a residence and people moved into new houses in the courtyard.
17th century: The castle was considered one of Skåne's strongest fortresses, and during the Scanian War the Scanian crown became concerned that the castle would be taken over and used by Danish troops.
1676: During the Scanian War, Charles XI ordered the castle to be demolished to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Danish king. Despite several attempts, the demolition of the castle failed. When a Danish-Dutch fleet was sighted in Ystad, the Swedes abandoned all demolition attempts.

18th century to the present

18th century: The castle served as a granary.
1924: The castle was donated to the Academy of Sciences by agronomist Nils Månsson.
1935-1938: Extensive restoration was carried out. Among other things, the old moats were emptied and the stone-lined edges were restored. During this time, many finds were made, such as ceramic pots, glass vessels, weapons, keys and various tools.

READ MORE: Things to do in Skåne - sights and experiences
READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations

7 Comments

Add yours →

Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:

Interesting history and exciting houses.
I remember being fascinated when I was there, but didn't remember any of the history, good rehearsal.
I have just become a "new believer" in that part of history when the area was Danish, Swedish, Danish, Swedish back and forth and interesting how people lived under these circumstances. Different rulers, different religion etc. Also many wars.
Happy National Day tomorrow!

05 June 2021 - 10:01

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Those can't have been easy times to live in! Agree that it is an interesting time in history!
  
  05 June 2021 - 22:22
  
4000mil says:

I was there in the 90s. Still remember it as very interesting. And an impressive house!

05 June 2021 - 10:48

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fun! Yes, an interesting place indeed!
  
  05 June 2021 - 22:22
  
BP says:

What a strange yet impressive castle. I spontaneously thought "a room with a view", even though there were not many windows. An intriguing building.

05 June 2021 - 19:49

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  A bit different, I agree! "Just" a house and yet powerful!!!
  
  05 June 2021 - 22:23
  
Lena - gott för själen says:

Have heard about the house, but never been there. Never heard the story so it was interesting! How brutal it could be in those days!

Hug Lena

23 June 2021 - 5:33

Glimmingehus - Scandinavia's best preserved medieval castle

Writer: Helena Bergström

Glimmingehus in Skåne

Glimmingehus - a knight's castle with luxury and death traps

An attempt to demolish Glimmingehus

Visiting Glimmingehus

Museum

See more in the neighbourhood

Facts about Glimmingehus

Tours and activities

Services and practical information

Finding Glimmingehus

History at Glimmingehus

16th to 17th century

18th century to the present

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7 Comments

Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:

Helena says:

4000mil says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

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