Sturehov Manor: An 18th-century Swedish estate with preserved interiors

Sturehov Manor, located in Botkyrka Municipality, a suburb of Stockholm, is a remarkable testament to the historical and architectural legacy of Sweden's past. This manor house, originally named Averhulta in the Middle Ages, gained its current name in the 1680s in honor of statesman Svante Stensson Sture. The Sture family owned the estate for some time before passing it on to other noble families, such as Johan Oxenstierna, Johan Liljencrantz, and Stockholm Municipality.

The manor, designed by Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, features well-preserved 18th-century interiors. On the façade facing the front courtyard, the centre of the building protrudes in a three-sided extension with the coat of arms of the Liljencrantz family sculpted above the portal. The façade facing the garden side features a central part pronounced by a shallow avant-corps surmounted by a low attic crowned by urns. Inside, the first floor displays an unusually rich décor and houses sculptures by Tobias Sergel, a piano by John Broadwood, furniture by Georg Haupt, and a cocklestove considered the most accomplished in Sweden.

Sturehov's history is not just about its grand design, but also about the people who once lived and worked there. The manor has witnessed various changing hands and periods of neglect and renovation, ultimately leading to the restoration of its 18th-century interiors in the 1950s. Today, it stands as a beautiful and well-preserved historical monument, offering a glimpse into Sweden's rich past.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons