Sandbjerg Estate: From historic manor house to modern meeting venue for AU

In the eastern part of Southern Jutland – a few kilometres north of Dybbøl Mølle and on the Als Sound – lies Sandbjerg Estate. The characteristic bright yellow mansion, which is the estate's most distinctive building, stands majestically between the forest and the sea.

The estate has a dramatic history, and you can feel the presence of the past as you walk through the manor’s creaky rooms and marvel at the stucco ceilings, glistening chandeliers and gold-framed portraits of bygone eras.

But what connection does Aarhus University have to a manor house in Southern Jutland? And what stories are hidden within its walls? Learn more about the history of Sandbjerg, which today provides a unique setting for courses, research stays and events.

A ladies’ man and bon vivant
Our journey through Sandbjerg's history begins in the sixteenth century, when the estate first appears in written records. In 1564, King Frederik II handed over Ærø, Als and Sundeved in the Duchy of Schleswig to his brother, Duke Hans the Younger, who built the dam on Als Sound as well as the estate's watermill, the remains of which can still be seen at Møllehuset, located close to the estate.

In 1673, the estate was taken over by Reventlow, who was a naval officer and rumoured to be fond of gambling and women. He had about 20 children with two different wives, and he expanded the Sandbjerg properties and grounds to the Sandbjerg Estate we know today. Conrad Reventlow built the distinctive yellow manor house and installed a brandy distillery in the thatched, half-timbered house opposite the property. When you step into the distillery today, you enter a beautifully preserved room with a high ceiling, which has been restored with respect for its original use and still contains original features, such as the hoist for the grain loft. Today, the distillery functions as an auditorium for conferences, courses, team-building events and lectures.

Traces of war
Sandbjerg Estate is closely associated with the wars that have left their mark on Southern Jutland. During the decisive battle of the Dano-Prussian War in 1864[SJ1] , a bell on the tenant house on Sandbjerg Estate gave the signal to attack to the 20,000 Prussian soldiers who were waiting in the forest. You can still see boat ramps and cannon stations (now listed) along the shore and remnants of regimental badges in the oldest trees.

In 1920, North Schleswig was reunited with Denmark, and the walls of the manor house at Sandbjerg Estate are filled with national posters about the reunification and the border dispute. The reunification was celebrated with a grand folk festival at Dybbøl Banke, and after the festivities, King Christian X visited Sandbjerg Estate, where, according to tradition, he had his first meal in the reclaimed land – a story that underscores the site's historical significance.

Sandbjerg became a centre for culture and science
In 1930, Sandbjerg Estate was sold to the Copenhagen barrister Knud Dahl and his wife Ellen Dahl, sister of Karen Blixen. Ellen Dahl, who was deeply committed to Southern Jutland, opened the estate to artists and scientists. Karen Blixen also visited and is reported to have shown the children how to shoot a rifle out of the door of the conservatory. Today the conservatory is used by course participants to do group work, take coffee breaks and socialise. 

Sandbjerg gradually became a meeting point for intellectuals of the time, and this would prove to be the fate of both Sandbjerg and Aarhus University. In 1954, Ellen Dahl donated Sandbjerg Estate to Aarhus University, which started to offer courses on the site in 1975. Since then, this historic setting has developed into a unique meeting place for many members of staff at the university.

In 2021, Aarhus University Research Foundation acquired ownership, and, today, Sandbjerg Estate combines its historical heritage with modern conference facilities. The foundation has carried out a major renovation of the estate, including the rooms, and has introduced a modern, sustainable cuisine that remains rooted in the culinary traditions of the estate and region. For those who fancy a quick dip in the Als Sound, the estate also has its own bathing jetty and sauna.

Read more about the options for holding your next event at Sandbjerg Estate.