MANOR HOUSE AND HISTORY

Fredriksdal dates back to the 1700s, when the Manor was built as the summer residence for the wealthy entrepreneur Fredrik Wilhelm Cöster.

Fredriksdal’s Manor was built for Fredrik Wilhem Cöster, who gave his name to the surrounding area. The main building was completed in 1787, when the French park, with its magnificent hornbeam walkways, was also laid out. Fredrik Wilhelm Cöster used the Manor as a summer residence for himself and his family. In time, his eldest son, also called Fredrik Wilhelm, took over. The son made the house habitable for winter living and started to develop what would become the Fredriksdal estate. It was also the son who built the two manor wings. The north wing accommodated the kitchens, brewhouse and servants, while the south wing was where guests stayed.

In 1810, Cöster sold Fredriksdal to Anders Petter Ståhle, the mayor of Helsingborg. Ståhle continued to improve and develop the estate. It was during Ståhle's time at Fredriksdal that the estate was at its most prosperous. Land was farmed, fruit was cultivated, peat was dug, and aquavit was sold, generating excellent returns.

Fredriksdal changed hands a number of times during the remainder of the century. The Manor also changed in appearance; it was extended and altered.

The last owners, Oscar and Gisela Trapp, donated Fredriksdal to the city of Helsingborg in 1918, with their far-sighted plan being that it should be transformed into an open air museum and botanic garden.

Fredriksdal’s museums and gardens now welcome almost a quarter of a million visitors annually from all over the world.

The Manor was renovated totally between 1967 and 1969. It was restored to how it was believed to have looked during the 1700s. In 2001-02, the exterior of the manor was renovated and altered to the appearance it is known to have had around 1840.