Gammel Holtegaard, Art museum and Baroque garden in Gammel Holte, Denmark
Gammel Holtegaard is a three-winged Baroque mansion with symmetrical white walls, dark roofing, and ornamental details, situated within extensive formal gardens. The interior functions as an art museum while the surrounding grounds preserve classical garden design from the 1700s, complete with tree-lined paths, hedges, and fountains.
Court architect Lauritz de Thurah designed the mansion in 1756 as a private estate for a wealthy Copenhagen resident seeking escape from urban life. The original property included agricultural buildings and a country inn, reflecting the functions of an aristocratic rural retreat.
The name references the nearby village of Gammel Holte and connects to a tradition of rural retreats for Copenhagen's wealthy families. The grounds show how the property served as both a private residence and a gathering place for cultural activities.
Access to the mansion is via well-maintained pathways and the gardens are easy to explore on foot, with routes leading in multiple directions. Plan to spend time on both the interior exhibitions and the surrounding grounds to fully experience the property.
The Baroque gardens were reconstructed from historical plans and contain original elements such as lime tree avenues and more than twenty decorative statues from the 1700s. This careful restoration allows visitors to experience an authentic glimpse of aristocratic garden life from that era.
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