To visit Hildasholm in Leksand is to go on a breathtaking journey through time, filled with beautiful artefacts and creative garden rooms. This historic house also offers captivating stories from the past, art exhibitions and a cosy garden café.
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Hildasholm in Leksand
Hildasholm is the house in Leksand that was built by the doctor and author Axel Munthe, as a morning gift to his wife Hilda Pennington Mellor Munthe. Today it is a visitor centre with guided tours, a garden, café, art exhibitions and various events.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7965-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Hildasholm is located in the centre of Leksand, overlooking Lake Siljan.
Alex Munthe and Hilda - a marriage of convenience
They married in 1907 - the doctor Axel Munthe and Hilda Pennington Mellor. Munthe was about to turn 50 and she was 19 years younger. Axel was by this time world-famous as a doctor, author and royal physician. Hilda was the daughter of a wealthy English merchant who, among other things, owned his own merchant fleet.
![Axel Munthe](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8005-648x1024.jpg.webp)
On his honeymoon, Munthe took Hilda to the Siljan region in Sweden. He fell in love with Dalarna already as a young man, and now wanted to show this place to his new wife. She too was enchanted and wanted a summer home here.
![Siljan](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7982-1024x575.jpg.webp)
Stone farm, as the house was then called, began construction in 1910, and a year later the building was completed. By then the couple had two sons: Viking (usually called Peter) and Malcolm.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7981-1024x576.jpg.webp)
From the outset, it was clear that the couple would live apart for much of the year. Hilda and her sons lived mostly in England, but spent summers at Hildasholm. Axel spent much of the year at the famous villa San Michele in Capri, Italy, which he commissioned.
![Hilda Pennington Mellor Munthe](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8006-1024x576.jpg.webp)
One of Munthe's most important patients was Queen Victoria, who had respiratory problems. She spent much of her life in Capri, with Axel Munthe. It was impossible for royalty to divorce at this time, but the long stays abroad could be explained as being 'for health'. In fact, it was probably a 37-year love story.
King Gustaf V was bisexual, with a greater interest in men, and perhaps it was no problem for him that Victoria had a relationship with Munthe. When Hilda discovered that her husband was unfaithful, she was less happy. Her husband was no longer welcomed home to Hildasholm, and from 1919 they lived completely apart. Hilda focused on her sons, religiosity, puppetry, creating theatre productions with the locals and her garden.
Interestingly, Hilda had her own friendship with Queen Victoria, and when Victoria passed away, Axel Munthe took up residence at the Royal Palace, where he socialised with Gustav V.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8002-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Visiting Hildasholm - guided tour of the house
We booked a guided tour of the house at Hildasholm. Incredibly interesting! Our guide was fantastic and had, in each room, plenty of captivating stories to share.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7993-576x1024.jpg.webp)
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7994-576x1024.jpg.webp)
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8018-1024x564.jpg.webp)
The decor is unique and almost every item has a story to tell. Everywhere you look, there's an intriguing detail. For example, what about the bird on the ceiling, with its feathers hanging down...?
![Dekorationer i taket](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8011-1024x573.jpg.webp)
There are many exclusive pieces of furniture and artefacts in the house, often originating from other countries. The house is also filled with puppets and artistic creations. Sometimes it is the family members themselves who have painted directly on the walls... This is a house full of surprises!
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8010-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Visiting Hildasholm - the garden
The gardens at Hildasholm were created by Hilda. As a child she grew up with classical gardens in England, France and Italy, and already at that time she developed an interest in gardening. She was also inspired by the Art & Craft movement.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7967-1024x576.jpg.webp)
As soon as Hildasholm was finished, Hilda began to sketch out how the garden would look. She created several garden rooms, all of which have a symmetrical basic shape, but otherwise look very different.
![Trädgård](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7974-576x1024.jpg.webp)
![Trädgård med skulptur](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7979-576x1024.jpg.webp)
The gardens, which have names such as "Peacock Garden" and "Sunken Garden", can be visited on your own, by buying a garden entrance ticket. You will receive a map describing the 14 different garden rooms.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8021-1024x575.jpg.webp)
It is also possible to book a guided garden tour, accompanied by the Hildasholm gardener.
![blomma](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8029-1024x576.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8026-1024x576.jpg.webp)
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E8022-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Café and art exhibitions
Hildasholm also has a charming and beautiful garden café, where coffee and light lunches are served.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand - café](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7990-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Here you can't help but be fascinated by the moulded fir trees - a tradition more common in England than in Sweden.
![Att besöka Hildasholm i Leksand](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7985-1024x576.jpg.webp)
Hildasholm also offers art, which varies from season to season, in the form of sculpture exhibitions in the garden and art in the café.
![skulpturutställning](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7987-576x1024.jpg.webp)
![skulpturutställning](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/07/batch_batch_IMG_E7988-576x1024.jpg.webp)
More to see and do in Leksand
In addition to visiting Hildasholm, which we highly recommend, there is of course more to things to see and do in Leksand. Maybe you want to experience Sweden's largest Midsummer celebration, go on a shrimp cruise with M/S Gustaf Wasa or maybe have a coffee at myisga Siljansäs? It is also close to Mora and Rättvik.
Have you visited Hildasholm?
Have you visited Hildasholm in Leksand? How was your experience of the visit?
Facts about Hildasholm
- Landscape: Dalarna
- County: Dalarna County
- Municipality: Leksand municipality
- Location: Hildasholm is located in the centre of Leksand in Siljansbygden, in Dalarna.
Good to know when visiting Hildasholm
- Opening hours: For exact opening hours see the Hildasholm website. The visitor centre is mainly open during the summer months.
- Guided tours: Guided tours are given regularly during the summer months. See website for exact times. During the low season, tours are only available for pre-booked groups.
- Price: Garden visit including sculpture exhibition: 60 SEK/adult. Guided tour of the house: 190 SEK/adult. Garden tour: 180 SEK/adult. Children up to 12 years of age are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult (prices valid for 2024).
- Service: Café and museum shop.
- Events: Art exhibition, Afternoon Tea, children's theatre week, workshops, talks and music.
- Parking: Parking is available just outside the entrance to Hildasholm.
- Accessibility: There is a car park just outside the gate, for people with reduced mobility. The gardens are partly accessible with a walker/wheelchair, preferably with assistance. Unfortunately, the house is not adapted for people with reduced mobility. An accessible toilet is available.
- Read more: You can find more information at the destination's website.
Ditte says:
Have been here several times and it is always an experience to come to HIldasholm.A piece of history and culture in a lovely environment. think you have given a nice description with beautiful pictures.
(If you are on Capri, in my opinion, a visit to Villa San Michele. If you are a tourist, it is best to come when it is not exactly the season. I have had the privilege to be invited here and to stay a few nights, but long ago. )
Perhaps you also took the opportunity to visit Job's handprint while you were in the area. Worth a visit there too.
14 July 2024 - 13:56
Helena says:
A really interesting visit! Glad you like our report! 🙂 And what fun that you also visited San Michele. We have never been to Capri, but if we ever get there it will obviously be a visit. We missed Job's handprint, but googled now and understand that it can be worth a visit!
15 July 2024 - 8:49