Lantgård

Lantgård is a Swedish term used to denote a rural farm estate or country farm. The word is a compound of lant-, relating to land or countryside, and gård, meaning farm or yard. Historically, a lantgård referred to the basic unit of rural landholding, typically consisting of a principal dwelling and several ancillary buildings used for agriculture, storage, and livestock, with surrounding fields and pastures.

Today the term is used descriptively for various types of property in Sweden and other Nordic countries, from working family farms to preserved historical estates. Many lantgårds are owned by families and passed down through generations; some are leased or operated as small businesses, and a growing number participate in agritourism, offering farm stays, guided tours, or local products.

Architectural layouts vary, but a typical lantgård includes a main house (huvudbyggnad) and a cluster of outbuildings such as barns, sheds, and stables. Building styles range from traditional timber-framed structures to more modern renovations, with regional differences in materials and color often reflecting Swedish rural architectural heritage.

Lantgård also appears in place names and cultural discussions as a generic marker of rural landholding, and it contributes to the understanding of Sweden’s agricultural history and rural economy.