Nysø Manor

Nysø Manor is a historic estate situated near Præstø on the southeastern coast of the Danish island of Zealand. Completed in 1673 for local functionary Jens Lauridsen, the building holds the distinction of being the first manor house in Denmark designed in the Baroque architectural style. Constructed primarily of red brick and sandstone with a granite foundation and red-tiled roof, the structure was likely designed by master builder Ewert Janssen. The main wing features eleven bays with lateral wings, while the central sections are adorned with Ionic pilasters supporting triangular pediments. Although originally surrounded by a moat, parts were filled in during the late eighteenth century to accommodate additional estate buildings.

The manor is historically significant for its role as a cultural hub during the Danish Golden Age in the early-to-mid nineteenth century. Under the ownership of Baron Henrik Stampe and his wife Christine, the estate became a gathering place for renowned artists and writers, including Hans Christian Andersen. Most notably, the celebrated sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen lived and worked at Nysø for the last six years of his life, utilizing a dedicated studio within the house and garden. Today, the property serves as the home of the Thorvaldsen Collection, which preserves his clay models, sculptures, and drawings alongside works by other famous visitors.

Currently, the manor remains part of a large estate extending over 1,000 hectares. The Thorvaldsen Collection is open to the public during summer months, specifically on weekends from May through August, allowing visitors to explore the artistic legacy left behind by its most famous resident. The site stands as a well-preserved example of seventeenth-century architecture that successfully transitioned into a biographical museum, maintaining its connection to Denmark's rich cultural history while continuing to operate as an active estate.