Hidden behind a tree-lined avenue stands Benzonsdal a manor house steeped in history. This magnificent estate boasts a captivating past stretching back to 1730. That’s when Supreme Court Justice Peder Benzon established Benzonsdal. He carved it from lands previously belonging to Gjeddesdal. His goal was streamlined land management. Benzon a prominent landowner also founded other manors. These included Benzonseje now Risbyholm Donnerup and Gislingegaard. He previously owned Hagestedgaard and Alslevgaard.
Benzonsdal initially comprised 50 tenant farms 100 smallholdings a brickyard and four watermills. A fascinating detail is the outbreak of dysentery. Niels de Bang later sole owner of Benzonsdal selflessly aided sick and impoverished farmers during this crisis. The manor changed hands several times. One memorable owner was Frederik Barfred a Copenhagen wine merchant. He owned a property at Radhusstrade 1 and leased a tavern under Copenhagen City Hall. He was also a director of Copenhagen’s fire insurance company and one of Copenhagen’s 32 Men. Barfred aimed to keep the estate in the family. He established a stamhus in 1765. This prevented the sale mortgage or division of Benzonsdal among heirs. However the stamhus was dissolved in 1786. The estate was then sold to his son Jens Lauritz Barfred.
A new chapter began in 1853. Count Carl Christian Cornelius Lerche acquired Benzonsdal. He constructed the current main building in 1856. The two-story manor stands on a high cellar. It is built of yellow brick and capped with a slate roof. The Lerche family has owned Benzonsdal since then. Imagine the countless stories whispered within these walls. They have witnessed generations of the Lerche family. The house sits amidst a picturesque garden. The tree-lined avenue leading to the manor adds to its charm.
Benzonsdal’s legacy extends beyond its architecture. It served as a filming location. It appeared in two Danish adaptations of The Famous Five novels in the late 1960s. It also featured in Thomas Vinterberg’s 2013 drama The Hunt. Benzonsdal remains a significant landmark. It stands as a testament to centuries of Danish history. It continues to captivate visitors with its beauty and rich past. This is a place where history comes alive. It’s a place where you can almost hear the echoes of past lives. So take a moment to absorb the majesty of Benzonsdal. Feel the weight of its history.