The City Manors of Stockholm

Before phrases like “work-life balance” and “weekend retreat” entered our lexicon, there were the malmgårdar. These were the novel abodes of the elite and bourgeoisie, designed to escape the city’s cacophony, odors and urban chaos to something a bit more... rustic. But not too rustic, mind you. One needed to glimpse the city’s silhouette without being deafened by its din.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, these quaint manor houses were established on the malmar of Stockholm, once sparsely developed and charmingly rural, now known as Södermalm and Norrmalm. Here, one might stroll through tulip gardens, feast on roasted capon, or perhaps grumble a little about the servants.

Thus, the malmgård served as the precursor to today’s summer residence, complete with symmetrical avenues and grapevines (destined to die), yearning for reprieve from the royal racket of Gamla stan. Today, the few remaining are architectural time capsules – a kind of “forgot-to-log-out-from-the-18th-century.”

Join us in the shadows of the malmar and discover another side of Stockholm - one ruled by Rococo, where weekends began Thursday at noon.