# Bjärsjöholm Castle

- **Country:** Sweden
- **Condition:** Private residence
- **Year Built:** 14th century
- **Location Text:** Scania

Bjärsjöholm Castle, also known as Bjersjöholm, is a historic manor located northwest of Ystad in Scania, Sweden. While the site has origins dating back to the 14th century, the current structures primarily reflect developments from the 16th and 19th centuries. The original complex consisted of four brick buildings arranged around a courtyard, but today only two main structures remain. The northern building is a Renaissance-style manor constructed in 1576 by Björn Kaas. This historic section was eventually abandoned due to land settlements, marking a shift in the estate's architectural focus over the centuries.

In the mid-19th century, the estate underwent a significant transformation with the addition of a new manor house. Designed by the renowned architect Ferdinand Meldahl and completed between 1849 and 1850, this newer structure was built just south of the original site on a hill. It features a distinct Romantic German style, characterized as a three-story building flanked by two square towers. During extensive renovations in 1890, much of the older Renaissance architecture was lost, with only the gables of one building being preserved. Despite these changes, the castle remains an important example of evolving Scandinavian architectural trends from the Renaissance through the Romantic era.

Currently, Bjärsjöholm Castle is open to the public and stands as a notable cultural landmark within Ystad Municipality. Visitors can explore the grounds to witness the contrast between the surviving elements of the 1576 Renaissance structure and the prominent 1850 Romantic addition. The site serves as a tangible record of Swedish noble history, illustrating how estates were modified to suit changing tastes and practical needs over several hundred years. Its preservation allows for continued appreciation of both the early brickwork of the Kaas family era and the later visionary design of Meldahl.

![Photo of Bjärsjöholm Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Bj%C3%A4rsj%C3%B6holms_slott.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjärsjöholm_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)