Gavnø is a small island off the west coast of

Zealand Zealand ( ) is the largest and most populous islands of Denmark, island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size) at 7,031 km2 (2715 sq. mi.). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 Januar ...

Næstved Municipality Næstved Municipality ( is a '' kommune'' in the Region Sjælland on the island of Zealand in the south of Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the ...

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

. Located some 6 km south-west of

Næstved Næstved () is a town in Næstved Municipality, the municipality of the same name, located in the southern part of the island of Zealand (Denmark), Zealand in Denmark. Næstved has several adult education centers, five Primary education, elemen ...

, it has an area of 5.6 km², and, as of 1 January 2010, it has a population of 57. The name comes from Gapnø (''Gap Island'') as the straight between the island and Zealand was named Karlsgap.

Gavnø Castle

Gavnø is now associated mainly with Gavnø Castle, an impressive Rococo manor house with an attractive park. The park surrounding the estate is known for its rare trees, rose garden and, above all, its extensive display of bulbs. The first historical mention of Gavnø is in King Valdemar's census book from 1231. The main building was built in 1402-1408, expanded in 1584-1663-1682 and remodeled to the current Rococo manor in 1755-1758. The manor house was apparently built to defend Denmark's western coasts. In the 15th century,

Queen Margaret I Margaret I (; March 1353 – 28 October 1412) was Queen regnant of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (which included Finland) from the late 1380s until her death, and the founder of the Kalmar Union that joined the Scandinavian kingdoms together for ...

opened St Agnes' Priory there, catering for nuns from aristocratic families. The chapel can still be seen in the castle's southern wing although it has since been extended. In 1737, Count

Otto Thott Otto Thott (13 October 1703 – 10 September 1785) was a Danish Count, minister of state, and land owner. During his lifetime, he acquired Gavnø Castle and one of the largest private collections of book and manuscripts in Denmark. Early ...

(1703–1785) acquired Gavnø. He renovated and substantially extended the manor, creating today's three-winged, yellow-façaded building in the

Rococo style Rococo, less commonly Roccoco ( , ; or ), also known as Late Baroque, is an exceptionally ornamental and dramatic style of architecture, art and decoration which combines asymmetry, scrolling curves, gilding, white and pastel colours, sculpte ...

where he was able to house his large collections of paintings, manuscripts and books. At his death, his library collection contained over 120,000 volumes, exceeding that of the Danish National Library. "Thott, Otto Greve"
''Dansk Biografisk Leksikon'' vol XVII, p. 341. Retrieved 20 June 2010.

List of owners

* (1205-1231) Sankt Peders Kloster * (1231-1330) The Crown * (1330-1340) Marqvard von Stove * (1340-1375) Hans Lykke * (1375-1402) William Steeg * (1402-1536) Sankt Agnete Nonnekloster * (1536-1583) The Crown * (1583-1605) Hans Lindenov * (1605-1634) Holger Lindenov * (1634-1642) Hans Lindenov * (1642-1653) Henrik Lindenov * (1653-1657) Sidsel Lunge, gift Lindenov * (1657-1663) Jacob Hansen Lindenov * (1663-1667) Niels Trolle * (1667-1682) Helle Rosenkrantz, gift Trolle * (1682-1702) Knud Thott * (1702-1703) Ursula Marie Putbus, gift Thott * (1703-1716) Jytte Dorthe Thott, gift Gøye * (1703-1730) Sophie Thott * (1703-1736) Anna Hedevig Thott, gift Brahe * (1736-1737) Birgitte Skeel, gift Krabbe * (1737) Iver Rosenkrantz, Birgitte Restorff and Otto Thott * (1737-1785)

* (1785-1797) Holger Reedtz-Thott * (1797-1862) Otto Reedtz-Thott * (1862-1923) Kjeld Thor Tage Otto Reedtz-Thott * (1923-1927) Otto Reedtz-Thott * (1927-1941) Holger Gustav Tage Reedtz-Thott * (1941-1961) Axel Gustav Tage Reedtz-Thott * (1961- ) Gavnø Fonden (main building) * (1961-1973) Axel Gustav Tage baron Reedtz-Thott (Avlsgården og land) * (1973- )Otto Tage Henrik Axel baron Reedtz-Thott (Svlsgården land)

References

External links

Gavnø official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavno Islands of Denmark Baroque architecture in Denmark Castles in Denmark Geography of Næstved Municipality Manor houses in Næstved Municipality Listed buildings and structures in Næstved Municipality Listed castles and manor houses in Denmark Castles in Region Zealand Buildings and structures of the Lindenov family Buildings and structures of the Reedtz family Buildings and structures of the Thott family

Gavnø Castle

List of owners

See also

References

External links