Rønnebæksholm


Rønnebæksholm is a former manor house located just outside Næstved in south-eastern Denmark. The estate covers 230.5 hectares of land. It was acquired by Næstved Municipality in 1998 and is now run as a cultural centre, hosting a wide range of cultural events, both indoor and outdoor, including art exhibitions, concerts, talks and theatrical performances.

History

The estate is mentioned in 1321. The present three-winged building was built in 1734 and altered in 1840-41 and again 1889-90.
It was owned by the crown from 1399 until 1571 while later owners include members of the Collet family who owned it from 1761. Johan Collett sold Rønnebæksholm in 1777. Collett family members again owned the estate from 1869 to 1994. Næstved Municipality acquired some of the land and associated farm buildings in 1994. In 1998, they acquired the main building and the rest of the estate.

Grundtvig Pavilion

The park is most notable for the Grundtvig Pavilion which was built for N.F.S. Grundtvig shortly after he married Marie Toft, the widow at Rønnebæksholm. Grundtvig gave it the name Venligheden. It was designed by Johan Daniel Herholdt, shortly before he went abroad on a longer journey. Its design shows influence from English Renaissance garden houses, a rare inspiration in Danish architecture of the time.

Cultural venue

The Rønnebæksholm Arts and Culture Centre is a self-owning institution. The main building plays host to four to six exhibitions. The emphasis is on modern and contemporary visual arts.