Ottenby kungsgård, Royal estate in Mörbylånga Municipality, Sweden
Ottenby kungsgård is a royal estate in Mörbylånga consisting of a white plastered stone mansion with a hipped roof and two limestone wings built in the late 1700s. The complex includes various service buildings arranged around the main residence, forming a well-structured architectural group.
The estate began as a medieval village administered by Nydala monastery and was converted into a royal farmstead in 1544 under King Gustav Vasa's decree. This transformation marked the start of its role as state-owned property with new purposes.
The name Ottenby comes from Old Swedish, reflecting its heritage as a royal hunting domain. Visitors can see how the buildings and grounds still reflect this prestigious past through their arrangement and character.
The estate operates today as an active dairy farm and remains partly a working space while holding protected building status. Visitors should know that not all areas of the complex are freely accessible and ongoing farm operations may affect the experience.
A restored grain storage building from the 1800s on the grounds has been converted into an exhibition space, housing a working silversmith workshop in former worker quarters. This structure shows how historical buildings take on new purposes while keeping alive their craft heritage.
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