Elghammar Castle, Empire style château in Gnesta Municipality, Sweden
Elghammar is a manor house on a peninsula in Lake Lockvattnet, built in the early 19th century for Field Marshal Curt von Stedingk to designs by Giacomo Quarenghi. Its two-storey central block has six Ionic columns supporting a pediment with the von Stedingk coat of arms and the motto "More Parentum". A broad stair flanked by two bronze lions leads to the entrance, and two wings by Fredrik Blom flank the main building.
Elghammar was a farm village by 1344 and became a säteri in 1599 under the Kruse family. In 1807 field marshal Curt von Stedingk bought the estate and had the present palace-like building erected to designs by Giacomo Quarenghi, whom he likely met as ambassador in Saint Petersburg. Through his daughter Thérèse it passed to the d'Otrante family in 1875.
The estate displays French design influences and was home to European noble families across generations. Visitors can observe this international connection in the architectural details and layout of the buildings.
The property is accessible via Route 57 near Stjärnhov and offers room to explore multiple buildings. Set aside time to walk through the various structures and grounds surrounding the lake area.
The lions flanking the entrance steps are said to have been cast at Åkers styckebruk ironworks. The estate passed to the d'Otrante family through Thérèse von Stedingk, who married Duke Gustave d'Otrante, a descendant of Joseph Fouché, Napoleon's Minister of Police.
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