Did you know Frederiksdal was once known as Hjortholm? This estate whispers tales from the Middle Ages to the present day. It stands proudly on the banks of the Millstream. This river gracefully connects Furesø Lake and Lake Bagsværd.
Let’s journey back to 1178. Frederiksdal was then Hjortholm. It was merely a property owned by Esrum Abbey. By 1201, it fell under the ownership of Roskilde Cathedral. Around 1250, Hjorholm manor house was built here. It became a residence for the bishops of Roskilde.
The Count’s Feud in 1535 brought turmoil to Hjortholm. Count Christopher of Oldenburg sieged it. Cannon fire decimated its walls. The manor house was never rebuilt. Locals salvaged stones from the ruins. These stones can still be found in old buildings in Virum.
Following the Protestant Reformation in 1536, the crown seized the estate. In 1668, Frederick III renamed it Frederiksdal. He envisioned a grand maison de plaisance. But his death in 1670 halted the project. His son, Christian V, abandoned it altogether.
Queen Charlotte Amalie, Christian V’s wife, revived the estate. She expanded its industrial output. She even constructed a paper mill. Later, Frederick IV ceded Frederiksdal to his sister. Princess Sophia Hedwig began building a house. However, it was never completed.
In 1739, Johan Sigismund Schulin gained control of Frederiksdal. He was a close friend of the royal family. In 1743, he was granted permanent ownership. Schulin commissioned Niels Eigtved to design a summer residence. Construction began in 1744. It was completed in 1747.
Frederiksdal became a maison de plaisance. It is the earliest example in Denmark. The Schulin family has owned it since 1743. Today, the eighth generation of the family owns it.
The main building has a single wing. It connects to two side wings. The exterior boasts white-dressed masonry. Sandstone decorations adorn the windows. Inside, Rococo stucco decorates the Garden Hall. Carlo Enrico Brenno and Giovanni-Battista Fossati crafted this.
The hilly landscape around Frederiksdal has an interesting origin. Meltwater erosion from the last ice age shaped it. This erosion also created the surrounding lakes.
Today, Frederiksdal stands as a testament to history. Frederiksdal Sinatur Hotel & Conference Centre nestles in this tranquil forest. The Frederiksdal offers a remarkable dining experience. Here, chefs use fresh, locally sourced produce.