More about the Castle...
Svaneholms Castle was built in the 16th century, when far south of Sweden was a part of Denmark. It is a magnificent castle with park, forest and a lake with Swans. The lake named the castle; "svan" is swan in Swedish. Svaneholm have had a lot of owners during the centuries. During the 16th century, it was dangerous to come uninvited here. All windows were loop holes. If you dared to come to close, you got a warm welcome.
When crossing the castle yard you'll probably not be impressed over its size - it's only 16 x 8 meters. However, this small size has not stopped the former citizens from acting as nobilities. During the 18th century two nobility families lived here. When one family would visit the other, the only decent way to move across the yard was in a four-in-hand wagon.
Svaneholm is not one of the biggest castles in Skåne, but as a gift it is big enough. Elisabeth Trolle, chatelaine in the 16th century, was pleased when she woke up after her wedding night and found that she had received the castle as a wedding present.
An odd thing took place here in 1608 when the virgin Bille past away. Her heirs-at-law did cast lots for the estate.
In 1934 the castle was for sale. The prize was rather low, but no one seemed interested to buy it. But - finally some wealthy men in the neighborhood founded a cooperative society and bought Svaneholm. One share cost 30 "riksdaler", and the prize is still the same. You can still be a castle owner for only 30 Swedish crowns.
Yes, Svaneholm has it's ghosts...
It is said that the White Lady walks around the lake each night between midnight and one o'clock. The tale says that she was put in prison in a dungeon under the lake, a long time ago.
It is also said that a monk was murdered in our cellar vault. After the gruesome outrage his body was walled in down here. Now he come back. But the monk is a friendly ghost and have helped the castle servants to carry heavy burdens in the stairs.
I have never seen any of these ghosts, by I don't like to be here alone late at night...
Anneli
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