Brattingsborg is a manor house and estate located south of Tranebjerg, on the Danishisland of Samsø. The estate produces bread and potatoes for Danish supermarkets under the brand Brattingsborg.
History
The history of the estate goes back to 1120 when it was the king's property on the island of Samsø. Originally called Søllemarksgård, it was renamed Brattingsborg by Griffenfeld who owned the island from 1674 to 1676. From 1677 to 1921, Brattingsborg was the seat of the counts of Samsøe, established for Christian V's mistress, Sophie Amalie Moth, and her descendants. The associated Danneskiold-Samsøe family still own the property. Christian Frederik began constructing today's main building in 1870. Designed by Knud Borring, it was completed in 1898 by Martin Borch. Built in the Neogothic style, it is inspired by English trends. The outhouses from 1870 are among the first buildings in Denmark to be constructed in concrete. The Brattingsborg estate covers, nearly a quarter of the area of Samsø. Covering an area of, the park is also inspired by English country gardens, falling naturally into the surrounding landscape.
Medieval fortresses
The manor have taken its name from an old and now non-existent royal castle in the town of Tranebjerg, called Gammel Brattingsborg. In the garden of Brattingsborg manor, the small fortification of Blafferholmen, have been excavated in 2012 by the National Museum of Denmark. It was founded on top of a stone agedolmen in the 1300s, in an age of conflict. It burned down shortly after it was built apparently, but there was no signs of any battle.
Brattingsborg today
The Brattingsborg estate is managed by Anders Danneskiold Lassen and with a staff of 20, is run as a modern concern with a focus on agriculture, pig production, forestry, hunting and housing rental. In 2008, in collaboration with Dansk Supermarked, Brattingsborg began producing five types of bread for sale in all Føtex and Bilka stores. In 2010, the business was extended to include the sale of potatoes. In the summer it is possible to visit Brattingsborg park for a stroll, in return of a small fee.
