Sweden’s oldest allotment areas
The Allotment Area by the Citadel
In the citadel’s allotment area, gardeners have been busily growing plants since the 18th century. This was when the citadel lost its strategic military role and local army officials were given plots of land to cultivate. In the 1860s, the pharmacist Elis Bergh started to grow medicinal plants here, and his establishment became a major attraction. Shortly thereafter, more and more people began leasing plots, and small wooden huts were built.
In the earliest colonies between the castle moat and the outer moat, the “nobility” took up residence. They grew vegetables but also had space for lawns where they could play croquet or find other amusement.
The outer citadel area became colonized by the working class at the start of the 20th century. If there was a hut on the plot at all, it was small and primitive. Initially, the primary focus was on growing vegetables, but over time, grass lawns made their appearance here too.
In 1963 the state, which owns the area, planned to restore the citadel’s defences and clear away the allotments. However, state officials became aware of the allotments’ significant cultural and historical value and adjusted the clearance plans to allow some of the plots to be preserved for the future.
Rothoff’s Historical Allotment
The Rothoff family bought an allotment by the Citadel at the start of the 20th century because they needed a place to grow potatoes. This allotment has been preserved and today it serves as a window into the past. The hut was built in 1903 and is one of the oldest preserved cottages in the area. It was originally just one single room, 2 x 2,5 metres.
The hut is furnished as it was when it was first built and includes a small exhibition about the history of the allotment area and the Rothoff family. Today, the Rothoff allotment is a beautiful and tranquil place where you can enjoy the garden and look inside the hut.
