Hovdala Castle Park

Bringing the eighteenth century to life

There is little documented about the gardens in the sixteenth and seventeenth century and it is not until 1734-35 that we gain a clear picture of Hovdala's park. The structure of the garden has hardly changed since then.

Description of the park

Hovdala castle park is a vital part of Hovdala's cultural heritage, thanks largely to a still intact authentic structure in which each of the various periods of its history can be traced. Ancient trees, the drained moats and enclosing impressive stone walls give the park its special character.

The moats, most of which are drained, are today well manicured lawns. In the south there is a stone bridge leading over to the island on which the castle stands, with its cobbled pathways interspersed with lawns. The kitchen garden north of the house has been restored and today provides ingredients for the castle cafe. Hovdala also has an orchard which lies to the east of the castle.

A ditch running through the garden divides the park into two halves, one of which takes on the character more of an eighteenth century-style garden complete with a pond for swans (now drained), fruit trees and an orangery. North of the orangery is a grove of trees, mainly tall oaks and large beeches, rows of hornbeam and some tall pines and spruce. The park is bordered by a stone wall to the north.

Dating back to the twelfth century

Hovdala Castle is first mentioned in 1130, but gained its current location in the sixteenth century. At this time the castle was surrounded by a moat, which still encircles the former fortress today. Its location on the border between Sweden and Denmark saw Hovdala play an important role in the wars of the seventeenth century.

In brief:

• Hovdala Castle became a national monument in 1947 and has been owned by the state since 1954.
• Address: Hovdala, south of Hässleholm
• Manager: Maria Nordh, SFV National Property Board Sweden, Phone +46 44 10 73 41/ +46 8 696 7341, e-post maria.nordh@sfv.se