Stora Djulö Herrgård - Kafé & Restaurang, Sodermanland Travel Guide

Origins in Medieval Sweden

First mentioned in 1334 as Djula, Stora Djulö began as lands belonging to Vårfruberga kloster during the early Middle Ages. A pivotal land exchange that year transferred ownership to riddaren and riksrådet Sigge Magnusson from Lagmansö, who traded with abbedissan Kunigunda. Sigge envisioned a grand herresäte and commenced construction, completing only half the planned structure. The allée leading to what would have been a centered main entrance hints at the splendor intended, with the existing building's asymmetrical design reflecting this unfinished ambition.

Noble Lineages and Royal Ties

From the late 1300s, the estate passed through the Porse family for about 150 years amid complex inheritances. By 1585, hertig Karls kammarråd Mauritz Jöransson Laxman inherited it, serving four Vasa kings. His daughter Gertrud continued the legacy. The manor, known variably as Väster-Djula in the 1600s and Stora Djulö from 1719, hosted figures intertwined with Swedish royalty.

Eccentric Innovations of Carl Uggla

In 1786, after intricate arvsprocedurer, kammarherre and historian Carl Hildebrandsson Uggla acquired the property. A vetenskapsakademi member, he authored a Stora Malm sockenbeskrivning and crafted 'false' runstenar in the English park between Stora Djulö and Duveholms herrgård, blending scholarship with creative folly. The estate remained in Uggla lineage through Fredrik von Post and Augusta Uggla until 1899.

Final Private Era and Municipal Legacy

Kapten Alexander von Post's death shifted ownership to his Russian-born widow Marie de Bodisco until 1907, though she resided there until 1935, outliving six owners. Known as a kind, reserved friherrin and friend to prinsessan Louisa—who became Denmark's queen—Marie embodied the site's genteel close. Katrineholms stad purchased it that year for 190,000 kr, preserving it as public heritage. The lower floor, once for tjänstefolk with kitchens and washrooms, now houses the café.

Literary Fame and Modern Allure

Stora Djulö gained fame in Selma Lagerlöf's Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige as the idyllic 'Sköna Lustgården' in 'Sveriges Lustgård.' Today, its three-story stone building, historic gardens noted since 1684, and festvåning offer café lunches, events, and conferences. Summer brings uteservering with glassbar, while winter hosts julbord and meetings, maintaining its role as a versatile venue rooted in seven centuries of history.