Stora Ek Manor ( sv, Stora Eks herrgård) is a manor house in

Mariestad Municipality Mariestad Municipality (''Mariestads kommun'') is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Mariestad. The present municipality was formed in 1971, when the ''City of Mariestad'' was amalgam ...

, Sweden. The manor is privately owned.

History

The first recorded owner of the estate was a

squire In the Middle Ages, a squire was the shield- or armour-bearer of a knight. Use of the term evolved over time. Initially, a squire served as a knight's apprentice. Later, a village leader or a lord of the manor might come to be known as a ...

named Erik Tyrgilsson who owned Stora Ek during the second half of the 15th century. The estate was formed in the late 16th century. Until the 18th century the manor consisted of wooden structures. It derives its present appearance from reconstruction works carried out during the 18th century. In 1724, Peter Scheffer (1657-1731), chief justice president and governor of Skaraborg County, became the owner of Stora Ek. In 1754, ownership pasted to his sons

Carl Fredrik Scheffer Carl Fredrik Scheffer (28 April 1715 – 27 August 1786) was a Swedish count, diplomat, privy counsellor, politician and writer. He was a Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, and a Commander of the Order of the Polar Star. Life Scheffer's f ...

(1715-1786) and Ulrik Scheffer (1716-1799). Both brothers also held high positions within the government. Planning and construction work for a new manor site was started around 1757. Subsequently rebuilt, the manor house became more representative of their social status. The main building and the kitchen wing were finished in 1768. Construction work was then halted until 1778, and the entire reconstruction scheme was not finished until 1782, when Ulrik Scheffer (who was the sole owner since his brother became part owner of Tyresö estate in 1766) erected a memorial stone in the park, celebrating the project.

Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz (30 January 1716 – 1 March 1796) was a Swedish architect and civil servant. Adelcrantz's style developed from a rococo influenced by Carl Hårleman, the leading architect in Sweden in the early years of his career, to a ...

(1716–1796) is often highlighted as the architect, while some sources mention

Jean Eric Rehn Jean Eric Rehn (18 May 1717, Stockholm - 19 May 1793, Stockholm) was a Swedish architect, engraver and designer. Biography His father, Eric, was a government ombudsman for the Sámi people. While still a boy, he became part of the , a forerunne ...

(1717-1793). Drawings and testimonies provide conflicting information. Quite possibly both contributed to the designs. The architecture and the gardens followed the prevailing French fashion.

Gallery

Stora Eks herrgård - KMB - 16000300017242.jpg Stora Eks herrgård - KMB - 16000300017280.jpg Stora Eks herrgård - KMB - 16000300017319.jpg Stora Eks herrgård - KMB - 16000300017370.jpg

References

External links

Website of the manor (in Swedish)
Manor houses in Sweden Buildings and structures in Västra Götaland County {{coord, 58, 36, 56, N, 13, 48, 58, E, type:landmark_region:SE, display=title