Svanholm
Encyclopedia
Svanholm is a country estate and former manor
55 kilometres (34.2 mi) west of Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1978 an association of over 100 persons bought the estate to create Denmark's largest intentional community
. The Svanholm Collective
grows its own food and was one of the pioneers of organic farming
in Denmark. As of January 2006, membership consisted of 70 adults and 35 children aged 0 to 80, jointly owning around 400 hectares (988 acres) of farmland, park, and woodlands.
The name comes from svan meaning "swan" and holm meaning "islet".
and Ise Fjord on the north coast of Zealand. It consists of a main building (the former manor house
) plus 12 other dwellings and utility buildings nearby or elsewhere on the grounds.
Niels Knudsen Manderup.
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
55 kilometres (34.2 mi) west of Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1978 an association of over 100 persons bought the estate to create Denmark's largest intentional community
Intentional community
An intentional community is a planned residential community designed to have a much higher degree of teamwork than other communities. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, religious, or spiritual vision and often follow an alternative lifestyle. They...
. The Svanholm Collective
Collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project to achieve a common objective...
grows its own food and was one of the pioneers of organic farming
Organic farming
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
in Denmark. As of January 2006, membership consisted of 70 adults and 35 children aged 0 to 80, jointly owning around 400 hectares (988 acres) of farmland, park, and woodlands.
The name comes from svan meaning "swan" and holm meaning "islet".
Geography
The Svanholm estate is located north of the village of Skibby in Krogstrup parish, on the Hornsherred peninsula between Roskilde FjordRoskilde Fjord
Roskilde Fjord is the fjord north of Roskilde, Denmark, and is located at . It is a long branch of the Isefjord.-Cities:The cities Frederiksværk, Frederikssund, Jægerspris, Jyllinge and Roskilde, , all have coastline at Roskilde Fjord...
and Ise Fjord on the north coast of Zealand. It consists of a main building (the former manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
) plus 12 other dwellings and utility buildings nearby or elsewhere on the grounds.
History
The earliest mention of Svanholm in historical documents is in 1346. Its owner at the time was the knightKnight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
Niels Knudsen Manderup.