Alsters herrgård: the white manor born from fire

Alsters herrgård, located in Alster, Karlstads kommun, Värmlands län, is not a modern building, despite its pristine white appearance. It has a storied past that dates back to the 14th century, when it was a medieval castle. However, the current structure wasn't built until 1772, a second seed sown on the site after a tragic fire in 1760. The resulting building, though in a simpler form back then, has since been expanded and renovated, with the addition of a second floor in 1787 and a neoclassical-style makeover in the early 19th century. Today, the manor wears a fresh white coat from the renovations of its grand-father, Gustaf Fröding, a poet born here on August 22, 1860.

Alsters herrgård was a family home for centuries. In the 16th century, it belonged to Queen Margareta Eriksdotter (Leijonhufvud) and her son Karl – Karlstads founder. After the devastating fire of 1760, the manor was rebuilt on its current site. The main building was then of stone and located where the eastern wing stands today.

In the 1772, the manor burned down again, but was quickly rebuilt in the same year. The manor was then painted in falerod and had only one floor, but a second floor was added in 1787.

Jan Fröding – Gustaf Fröding’s grand-father – bought Alsters herrgård in 1837 and renovated the building in the neoclassical style according to the plans of architect Johan Fredrik Åbom. Alsters herrgård became white during this renovation and remains so today. Four fireplaces and a panoramic tapestry remain from this period on the second floor.

Per Clarholm – overseeing physician at Karlstads centrallasarett – purchased the manor in 1928 and donated it to the county council when he died in 1942. The manor operated as a convalescent home run by the county council until 1968. The memorial house for Gustaf Fröding opened in 1976.

Today, Alsters herrgård is open to the public daily from May to September. Various businesses such as cafes, shops, and exhibitions are located near Alsters herrgård. Alsterån flows near Alsters herrgåard and empties into Vänern.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons