Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you to see two special buildings; the Ledaal Royal Residence and Breidablikk museum both very close to each other, in Stavanger, Norway.
As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look.
Ledaal, the King’s official residence in Stavanger, was built between 1799 and 1803 as a second home for the Kielland family. Gabriel Kielland, a merchant, and chamberlain, and the great-grandfather of writer Alexander Kielland, served as the builder. He was one of the so-called “The Four Greats” of Norwegian literature. Although he never lived in Ledaal, his novels draw inspiration from the manor, its architecture, and family members associated with it.
Reflecting the early 19th-century style, Ledaal’s main building offers insights into upper-class life during that period. The richly furnished interior includes furniture in various styles. Today, Ledaal functions as a museum and official royal residence.
Very close by is Breidablikk, a wooden mansion built in 1881 by architect Henrik Nissen, it belonged to Lars Berentsen, a prominent merchant and shipowner in Stavanger. The mansion, built in the Swiss style with romantic and gothic influences, is exceptionally well-preserved, offering a glimpse into the late 1800s Norwegian middle-class lifestyle.
Breidablikk which is larger in both area and capacity than Ledaal when including the cellar, stands out for its exceptional materials and craftsmanship. Imported teak and mahogany from Siam were used for windows and doors, and the window were made of thick cut plate glass. The interiors, acquired during the initial occupation, have been diligently preserved, making Breidablikk one of the best-preserved houses from this period in Norway.
By Anthony King (c)