At the center of Swedish history
The recorded history of the Aske estate goes back to the 13th century, and in the turbulent 14th
century this part of Sweden was at the vortex of intrigues and machinations in high politics. Aske
saw the beginnings of the murderous feud between three royal brothers, in which the elder, and
king, was captured and imprisoned by his two younger brothers in order for them to gain power over
the Swedish empire. The events culminated with the king’s release and having his brothers perish in
the dungeons of Nyköping Castle – an episode that has gone down in Swedish history as “the Nyköping
Banquet”. Three kilometers away is the archaeo-
logical site of Old Sigtuna, one of the earliest known towns in Sweden. On the other side of
Lake Mälaren, 2 km away, is “New” Sigtuna.
The mansion itself, in Roman-Italianate villa style, dates from the closing years of the 18th
century. It was designed by the Italian Charles Bassi, who later became a dis-
tinguished city architect in Turku, Finland. Aske was the only building he designed in
Sweden.
Colorful personalities around Aske
There are a great many stories and legends about Aske and the region around
Sigtuna. This is an area that had been the center of activity for centuries, and where many people,
both famous and not, have left their imprints. These imprints leave impressions on the past
as well as future. Some examples are:
Signhild and Habor
An ancient Nordic “Romeo and Juliet” tale from the 9th century about lovers that perished for
one another at Old Sigtuna, adjacent to Aske.
King Birger Magnusson
At the beginning of the 14th century, at the Håtuna Estate near Aske, King Birger
Magnusson was captured by his brothers, Dukes Erik and Valdemar, in what is called the Håtuna
Games. The King was imprisoned in the dungeon of the Nyköping Castle, but later had his revenge on
his brothers at the gruesome Nyköping Banquet.
Jacob De la Gardie
He was the owner of the Aske estate during the 17th century. With French
lineage, Jacob became a count, general and counsellor. De la Gardie actively participated in the
development of the Swedish Empire during the reigns of both Kings Charles IX and Gustav II Adolf.
Privately he ran extensive grain-trading and industry businesses, the latter of which incorporated
the Aske Estate.
Gustav Sehmann
Gustav Sehmann built today’s Aske at the beginning of the 19th century. The
architect of the Italian villa in Renaissance Florence-style was Charles Bassi. Sehmann’s
ambition was to create a good working environment, providing daycare, schools and medical treatment
for the people of the district.
Count Lewenhaupt and “The Coachman’s Son”
Aske was sold to Count Carl-Gustav Lewenhaupt in 1872. At the beginning of the 20th
century, the hosts hunted and socialized with the both King Oscar II and King Gustav V. The
book “Askegreven” (The Count of Aske), by John Kraft, tells the story of his father’s
experiences and life as a coachman for Count Gustaf Carlsson Lewenhaupt. The Lewenhaupt family
owned and ran the Aske Estate between 1872-1948.
Aske was then bought by The Phosphate Corporation, and then sold it to the City of Stockholm in
1960. Acquired in 1987 by the National Board of Public Building, Aske has belonged to real-estate
company Vasakronan since 1993. Since 1971, Aske has been rented and managed by AMS (the
Swedish National Labour Market Board).
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