Sirishov

Hidden amongst the trees, along Rosendalsvägen, lies a secret whispered on the winds of Djurgården. This secret is Sirishov. Sirishov is more than just a villa. It is a time capsule, holding centuries of stories within its walls. Let’s unlock those stories together. Sirishov’s tale begins long before its current name. In the 1600s, a humble dwelling known as Cossvatorpet stood on this very spot. It was named after Jacob Cosswa, the surveyor who kept watch over Waldemarsön, now known as Djurgården. After Cosswa’s death in 1686, the cottage became the home of the Djurgården inspector. Then, in the 1760s, it transformed into a summer retreat called Matshof. Built by the merchant von Yhlen, Matshof was a two-story timber house. It had a porch, a large hall, and two rooms on each side, forming the foundation of the Sirishov we see today. Sirishov earned its present name at the end of the 1700s, under the ownership of Sten Abraham Piper, a courtier to King Gustav III. Legend says he named it after his beloved dog, Siri. The name stuck, and Sirishov it remains. In 1862, the villa passed into the hands of the Wallenberg family. A major renovation by architect Ernst Abraham Jacobsson reshaped Sirishov. The building acquired its current Swiss-chalet style, with high-pitched roofs and a charming tower. The villa became a treasured wedding gift for A.O. Wallenberg’s eldest daughter, Siri Eleonora, who was born in the house in 1868. She was even named after the villa. Her marriage to Count Erik Carl Oxenstierna af Korsholm och Wasa in 1896 tied Sirishov even closer to Swedish nobility. Under Siri, Sirishov transitioned from a summer house to a permanent residence, solidifying its place as a family haven. Sirishov remained within the family, passing on to Siri’s daughter, the artist Sigrid Oxenstierna-Aminoff, who converted the old stable into her studio. Even after the property was sold in 1989, the legacy of the family continues to echo in the name and the stories it holds. As you stand before Sirishov, let your imagination wander back through time. Picture the surveyor Cosswa surveying his land. Envision the elegant gatherings hosted by the Wallenbergs. Feel the warmth of the home where Siri Eleonora grew up, a home named in her honor. Sirishov whispers a story of changing times, of families, of art, and of love, all woven into the very fabric of its being.