Svaneholm Castle

Mourits Jepsen Sparre built Svaneholm in 1530 on an island in a lake, and it was rebuilt into the four-winged castle standing now over the following centuries. Its historical interest is Rutger Macklean, who inherited in 1782 and the next year broke up the open-field system on his land, moved the tenant farms out onto their own consolidated holdings and gave the tenants hereditary leases - a reform that spread through Skane and changed how the countryside looks. The castle holds a museum covering that and rural life generally, with a restaurant in the vaults. Trails run round the lake and through the woods from the car park.

What's there

• A four-winged castle on an island - from 1530 onwards.
• The Macklean reform of 1783 - told in the museum.
• Rural life collections - through the upper floors.
• Lake and woodland trails - from the grounds.

When to go

May to September for the museum; trails year round. Two hours.

Things to know

The museum is old-fashioned and mostly labelled in Swedish. Opening is seasonal and limited. Interiors are not richly furnished. A car is effectively required.

Nearby

Skurup is close; Ystad and the south coast are south-east.

Key facts