Hägerstens gård

Did the walls of Hägerstens gård whisper secrets of a famous poet? They might just do that. Hägerstens gård, first mentioned in 1432 as “Hæghrasteen,” has seen centuries of history unfold. It began as a humble croft, part of the larger Årsta Gård estate. Imagine the landscape then, stretching from Liljeholmen to Mälarhöjden. The current main building, a testament to time, stands as a converted residential building with five apartments. It’s also recognized by the Stockholm City Museum for its significant cultural and historical value. Hägerstens gård’s story intertwines with that of Carl Michael Bellman, Sweden’s beloved poet. In 1763, Claes Arrhén von Kapfelman, the first owner of the independent estate, married Bellman’s sister, Catharina Christina. This connection brought Bellman to Hägerstens gård, where he found inspiration for some of his famous songs. The estate’s grounds, once vast and encompassing areas like Katrineberg and Stora Gröndal, echoed with music and laughter during those visits. But von Kapfelman’s time at Hägerstens gård was also marked by financial struggles, ultimately leading to bankruptcy in 1779. The estate then passed through several hands before finding a new era of prosperity under Johan Henric Peterson in 1812. Peterson, sometimes called “The Nightingale” for his love of music, restored some of the estate’s lost properties and likely oversaw the raising of the main building’s roof. Hägerstens gård even played a role in Sweden’s agricultural history. Olof Eneroth, the country’s first pomologist, was born there in 1825. Later, the estate became a summer retreat for Knut Åkerhielm, a royal court marshal. The spirit of the past lingers at Hägerstens gård. The main building, possibly constructed with parts moved from Fogdön, still stands proudly. Although the farm buildings are gone, the main building with its wings remains. Its history whispers from the walls, a captivating tale of poets, financial woes, and summer retreats, all playing out against the backdrop of this historic estate.