Monday 11 August - Part 2
Bjärka-Säby
After our visit to Sturefors Castle (previous post), we also happened to pass (or rather, stop at!) another impressive castle or palace: Bjärka Säby. In the English Wikipedia article they've chosen to call it Bjärka-Säby Château.
Actually there are two castles/chateaus at Bjärka-Säby; referred to as the old one and the new one. It was "the new one", from 1790, that happened to "pop up" along our way, and seemed worth while (and convenient) to take a closer look at.
Since 1980, Nya Slottet Bjärka-Säby has been owned by the Swedish Pentecostal movement's congregation in Linköping. I've heard about in various contexts, as it is used as an ecumenical centre for Christian conferences and retreats etc. In the summer they also seem to have a café and even some guided tours of the place; but that season seemed to be over when we happened to stop by. The only part open when we were there was a rest-room (WC) in the basement round the back - but as that was what we really were most in need of just then, we were thankful for that!! ;)
After a short walk around the outside of that castle, we drove on through the countryside towards Åtvidaberg hoping to find somewhere nice there to have lunch...
... but I'll save that for the next post!
Nya Slottet Bjärka-Säby has a fine appearance and in design terms looks very well-balanced. Shame that with your brother your main experience of it was "The Ladies" and "The Gents"!
ReplyDeleteYP, places we happened to find that weren't in our original plan to visit at all, I prefer to think of as "bonuses" instead ;)
DeleteEven without the tours or café, it seems like your stop at Bjärka-Säby still offered a charming brush with history
ReplyDelete