A Historic Manor House near Karlstad Lists for $4.1 milion
On a gentle slope above the Alster River lies Gunnerud Manor, a remarkably well-preserved estate where history, literature, and landscape converge. This was the place where Gustaf Fröding spent his childhood summers, periods he later described as among the happiest of his life. Surrounded by river, farmland, and deep forests, Gunnerud became a formative source of inspiration for poems that would later define Swedish literary heritage.
Today, Gunnerud stands as a beautifully restored manor in excellent condition, combining centuries of history with modern stewardship. Ancient oaks, ash trees, and linden trees, some nearly 300 years old, frame the estate, reinforcing its timeless character.
Gunnerud is an integral part of the Alsterdalen valley, just 8 kilometers from Karlstad’s main square, with direct connections to the university area. Despite its proximity to the city, the estate retains a tranquil, rural atmosphere.
The farm’s origins date back to the early 17th century, when it functioned as a mill manor with an ironworks that operated for nearly 240 years. In the late 18th century, Gunnerud evolved into a manor estate and has since been owned by several prominent families. Together with Fröding’s literary legacy, Gunnerud embodies Värmland’s two defining cultural forces: iron and literature.
The Manor House
Centrally positioned in the park and overlooking the river, the neoclassical manor house is flanked by two wings and approached via a limestone staircase and grand double doors. Inside, the interiors retain a high degree of original detail: tiled stoves, stucco work, plaster ceilings, wall-mounted cupboards, and period wallpapers.
One of the most remarkable features is a panoramic wallpaper produced by Joseph Dufour & Cie in Paris in 1818, which Jan Fröding acquired in 1856. This historic wallpaper is today deposited with Värmlands Museum.
The ground floor includes a sequence of elegant and functional rooms, salons, halls, former bedrooms, service rooms, and a kitchen. In contrast, the upper floor offers living spaces, bedrooms, a hobby room, a bathroom, and attic storage. Heating is provided via water-borne systems from a central boiler, with water drawn from the estate’s own well and wastewater handled by a modern mini treatment plant.
Wings and Historic Outbuildings
The estate includes an impressive collection of wings and auxiliary buildings:
- North Wing (1825): Timber construction over a partial basement, housing three residential apartments.
- Manor Wing (1800): Timber building on two vaulted basements, currently used by the owners.
- Warehouse (1801): Timbered structure on a stone base, now used for storage.
- Baker’s Cottage (1828): Featuring a preserved baking oven, soapstone flooring, and handmade bricks.
Close to the manor stands the visthusbod with its historic gruel bell, cast in 1804 and still chiming, now electrically, three times a day. Nearby, the coachman’s house, completed in 2012 on original foundation stones, includes the estate’s sauna.
Modern Farm Buildings with Sustainable Solutions
Newly built stables, a boiler house, and a chip house form a practical courtyard. The stable roof carries a 34 kW solar installation that produced approximately 27,000 kWh last year, complemented by an 11 kW electric vehicle charging station. All new structures have been designed to harmonize with the historical environment.
Additional restored buildings include tool sheds, wagon sheds, guest accommodations reflecting historical social structures, a sheep wind shelter, and a recently built cucumber house inspired by late 19th-century architecture, with lime-painted glass for sun protection.
Park, Land, and Forest
A comprehensive tree care plan was established in 2008 to preserve the park’s historic character. Pastures near the manor are elegantly fenced, while arable land with normal production capacity is partly grass-covered and leased, providing stable income.
The forest land is managed under a current forestry plan (updated December 2023), with an estimated timber reserve of approximately 8,900 cubic meters. The forest is double-certified according to PEFC and FSC standards, reflecting sustainable management practices.
Hunting and Wildlife
Gunnerud forms its own section within the Busteruds–Gunneruds game management area, encompassing about 254 hectares, including leased land. The area supports abundant wildlife, with regular moose and small game populations and established annual hunting allocations.
With approximately 138 hectares of owned land, an additional 115 hectares of leased land, multiple residential units generating rental income, and a location that bridges rural serenity with urban proximity, Gunnerud Manor is far more than a property. It is a living cultural landscape, carefully preserved, thoughtfully modernized, and deeply rooted in Swedish history.
Gunnerud Manor is listed for sale at Skeppsholmen.
