Von Echstedtska Gården, Manor house in Säffle Municipality, Sweden.
Von Echstedtska Gården is a manor house in Säffle Municipality with classical exterior architecture and elaborately decorated Rococo interiors throughout its rooms. The building complex includes several historic structures that form the original estate grounds.
The estate, originally called Smedby Gård, was built between 1762 and 1764 by assessor Bengt von Echstedt. In the early 20th century it was threatened with relocation to Skansen, but Värmlands Museum bought it in 1939. The buildings and interiors were restored in the 1950s and again in 1992–93, and the estate was declared a listed building on 28 December 1964.
The interior wall paintings show Rococo motifs, while the exterior follows a Karolinian style. The estate was long called Smedby Gård before assessor Bengt von Echstedt built the present buildings in 1762–1764. Värmlands Museum has owned the farm since 1939 and runs summer exhibitions, guided tours and a café there.
Värmlands Museum owns the estate and runs the summer visitor programme: exhibitions, guided tours, a café and events. The grounds lie in Västra Smedbyn, Kila parish, Säffle municipality; the main building, gazebo, privy and two pairs of wings stand close together, so the whole ensemble can be seen on foot.
The hemlighus, or privy, beside the main building has ceiling paintings showing the estate owner and his first wife seated on the toilet, attended by servants. It is one of two small structures, with a lusthus, flanking the main building.
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