Big dramas and quiet everyday life
Feel the powerful wings of Gisselfeld's fantastic cultural history. Great dramas and quiet daily life have unfolded here since its construction in 1575. And once you've stood on the bridge leading to the mighty castle, you'll understand why successive artists through the centuries have repeatedly visited and written about Gisselfeld.
The artist's muse
Throughout the ages, Gisselfeld Kloster has held a prominent position, and many famous people have visited the site. The beautiful manor landscape has inspired and attracted artists such as Bache, Thorvaldsen, Christian Winther and H.C. Andersen. It was here that H.C. Andersen got the idea for “The Story of a Duckling”, which later became “The Ugly Duckling”.
A powerful story
The current Gisselfeld was founded by Peder Oxe, who was Lord High Steward (Prime Minister) and built the castle from 1547-1575.
Following Peder Oxe's death, his wife, Mette Rosenkrantz of Vallø, took over management. When she died in 1588, Peder Oxe's niece, Karen Banner, took possession of the castle. She married Henrik Lykke of Overgaard, and the Lykke family subsequently owned Gisselfeld until Kai Lykke was, in 1661, sentenced to forfeiture of life, honour, and property due to high treason.
This meant that Gisselfeld was under the Crown from 1661-1670, until it was given to Count Hans Schack for his achievements during the Swedish Wars. Hans Schack's descendants sold Gisselfeld to Adam Levin Knuth in 1688. The family owned Gisselfeld until 1699, after which Christian Gyldenløve (son of King Christian V and Sophie Amalie Moth) took over the estate.
Gyldenløve died in 1703, but he did manage to establish a foundation according to which the estate was to transition from private ownership to a noble convent for unmarried women.
Christian Gyldenløve's descendants, who were given the name Danneskiold-Samsøe, have run the Castle to this day according to a will from 1701. To date, there have been 11 counts/directors-general from the Danneskiold-Samsøe family.
The current Director-General and the 12th in succession is Helene Danneskiold-Samsøe and she is the first woman ever to hold the position. Helene Danneskiold-Samsøe was appointed Director-General on 1 March 2010.
