Picture this a grand Rococo mansion nestled in the serene landscape of Jægersborg. This is Schæffergården a place steeped in history and brimming with captivating stories. Built between 1755 and 1756 by court carpenter Dietrich Schæffer Schæffergården initially served as a luxurious country house. Schæffer envisioned selling it to the king. He hoped it would replace the dilapidated royal hunting lodge Ibstrup. Alas his ambitious plan failed. The project nearly bankrupted him. He finally sold Schæffergården in 1772.
Over the centuries Schæffergården changed hands several times. Prince Harald of Denmark and his wife Princess Helene even resided here. Their son Prince Gorm was born within these very walls. The mansion passed to Ernst Michaelsen CEO of the Vacuum Oil Company in 1920. Michaelsen commissioned the renowned architect Kaare Klint for a meticulous restoration. Klint painstakingly returned the main building to its original Rococo splendor. This was a significant undertaking involving significant costs.
The Foundation for Danish-Norwegian Cooperation acquired Schæffergården in 1948. Their aim was to establish a center for Danish-Norwegian collaboration and education. Subsequent renovations and expansions significantly altered the complex. Architects like Palle Suenson and Vilhelm Wohlert contributed to the building’s evolution. Their work carefully blended the old and the new respecting the historical integrity of Schæffergården.
Today Schæffergården stands as a testament to its rich past. It serves as a conference center and hotel. It still embodies the elegance of its Rococo origins. Explore Schæffergården’s meticulously restored interiors. Walk through the expansive gardens. Let the mansion’s legacy transport you to a bygone era. Each brick each detail whispers tales of kings princes and architects. Schæffergården continues to thrive. It remains a dynamic hub of cultural exchange and historical preservation. It is a place where history unfolds before your very eyes.