Krapperups slott i Skåne - med slottspark och kaffestuga

Krapperup Castle is a Scanian estate dating back to the 14th century. Today there is a beautiful castle from the 16th century, a lovely castle park, café and art gallery. We ended up here by chance during our last motorhome trip.

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Krapperup Castle

Krapperup Castle is one of Skåne's oldest and historically most important estates. Today, the estate is owned and run by the Gyllenstiernska Krapperup Foundation, whose mission is to support science and research. The castle itself is only shown to pre-booked groups, but the park is open to the public.

Krapperup Castle is located on the Kulla Peninsula in Skåne, about 20 miles north-west of Helsingborg.

Danish and Swedish history

As early as the 14th century there was a castle where Krapperup Castle now stands. The first known owner was the Danish knight Jens Jensen, and it was probably he who built the first castle. In the 16th century, the castle that you can see today was built, and in the early 17th century it got its 7-pointed stars in the facade - the Goldenenstiern family coat of arms.

In 1667, the castle was bought by Countess Maria Sofia De la Gardie and became Swedish property. The Countess had the castle renovated in the Baroque style, but fell on hard times and died poor in 1694.

In the 18th century, the castle first came into the possession of the wealthy Henrik Jacob Hildebrand and later Johan Henrich von Kochen, who turned the property into a fideicomiss. In 1967, the last fideicomissary Gustaf Gyllenstierna transferred the estate to the Gyllenstiernska Krapperupsstiftelsen.

An unscheduled visit to Krapperup castle

When we hit the road in our campervan, we hadn't even heard of Krapperup Castle, but had our sights set on other attractions, such as vineyards, the Nimis artwork, Mölle and Kullaberg Nature Reserve.

But ... what was that? We stopped by the beautiful castle and went outside to look at the profits and losses. Many castles in Skåne are private and closed to the public, but here there was both an open park and a café. A positive surprise!

Krapperup Castle Park

Krapperup Park dates back to at least the 17th century, when there was a baroque park here. Since then, the appearance of the park has changed several times, in line with the fashions of the time.

Nils and Ellen Gyllenstierna developed the park that exists today between 1878 and the 1920s. The couple hired the Danish garden architect Edvard Glæsel and were inspired by the beautiful gardens such as Norrviken Gardens and Sofiero castle garden.

Today it is a large and beautiful park with green walkways, large trees, exotic plants, rhododendrons and ponds. The park is open to the public all year round, and you are welcome to roam around as you wish as long as you follow the rules:

Not cycling
Do not remove plant parts
Picnic only in designated area
Dogs must be on a leash

Our favourite part of the park was around the ponds, where the park has been given a slightly Asian touch.

The castle park also has a fine rose garden with 35 different types of roses and over 600 rose plants.

Coffee shop, art gallery and museum

On Krapperup's stable floor there is a small coffee shop that looked very nice. In the area there is also a small art gallery and two small museums, which were not open when we were here. In addition, music events are apparently organised occasionally. A surprising and pleasant stop on the road!

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Krapperup Castle it is not far to Lars Vilks' special artwork Nimisalthough it should be noted that a trip there requires some hiking. Other places to experience at The Kulla peninsula is Höganäs, Mölle, Arild, Kullaberg Nature Reserve and different vineyards such as Kullaberg's vineyard and Arild's vineyard. It's also not far to the beautiful and cosy the city of Helsingborg with 20 attractions, where you can, among other things visit Råå and Sofiero Castle.

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Facts about Krapperup Castle

Landscape: Skåne
County: Skåne County
Municipality: Höganäs
Address: Krapperupsvägen 413, Nyhamnsläge.
Owners: Gyllenstiernska Krapperup Foundation

Tours and activities

Castle guiding: Guided tours only for pre-booked groups. Photography in the castle is not allowed.
Park guiding: Guided tours of the park can be booked for groups.
Museum: The basic exhibition "Berget och Borgen" tells the story of Krapperup and the cultural and historical development of the Kullabygden region. The farm museum displays artefacts handled by the servants.
Music centre and art centre: The old stable is now used for concerts, theatre and lectures.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: The park is open all year round. The café is open daily in the summer and then some days/week. See the café website for up-to-date information.
Café: The coffee shop serves sandwiches and pastries.
Shop: The Castle Shop sells ice cream, bread and delicacies. About 200 metres north of the castle there is also a commercial garden with plants and fresh spices.

History at Krapperup Castle

14th century The first known owner of Krapperup is the knight Jens Jensen, who in 1314 signed up to Brunnby, but in the middle of the 14th century to Krapperup. The original building was added at this time.
1353: The knight Stig Pedersen, of the Krognos family, was signed to the castle. He was succeeded by his son Peder, who was succeeded by his son Stig, one of Denmark's most powerful men.
16th century: The present castle was built in the mid-16th century by Mourids Clausen Podebusk.

17th century

17th century: The seven-pointed chalkstone stars on the façade, the Gyllenstiern family coat of arms, were added in the early 17th century.
1667: Countess Maria Sophia De la Gardie bought the castle, which was part of the Swedification of Skåne. During her ownership, the castle was renovated into a baroque castle.

18th century

1702: The castle was bought by the merchant Henrik Jakob Hildebrand. The third floor of the main building was demolished and both wings were rebuilt.
1734: The brothers Petter Gotthard and Johan Henrich von Kochen became owners of the estate.
1749: Carl von Linné visited Krapperup during his journey to Skåne.
1750s and 1760s: Petter Gotthard von Kochen had Krapperup restored, with Rococo-style interiors. He also made Krapperup an estate for his nephew Christoffer von Kochen.

19th century to 20th century

1809: The estate passed to Carl Christoffer Gyllenstierna, married to Antoinette von Kochen. Their son Nils Christoffer Gyllenstierna studied biology and zoology and had the garden extended.
1967: As there were no male heirs, the last fideicommissar Gustaf Gyllenstierna left the estate to the Gyllenstiernska Krapperupsstiftelsen.

READ MORE: Castles in Sweden - 30 very beautiful Swedish castles
READ MORE: Things to do in Skåne - sights and experiences
READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations

2 Comments

Add yours →

BP says:

Love the part of the castle with the Christmas tree windows and poinsettias. It was a unique touch I must say. I also like the garden, but am most fascinated by the castle which doesn't really look like a castle.

16 September 2021 - 20:38

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The stars are nice, aren't they? A slightly different facade! Apparently the Gyllenstiern family coat of arms, from the 17th century.
  
  17 September 2021 - 20:14

Krapperup Castle in Skåne - with castle park and coffee house

Krapperup Castle

Danish and Swedish history

An unscheduled visit to Krapperup castle

Krapperup Castle Park

Coffee shop, art gallery and museum

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Facts about Krapperup Castle

Tours and activities

Services and practical information

History at Krapperup Castle

17th century

18th century

19th century to 20th century

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2 Comments

BP says:

Helena says:

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