Estate of the Week: On Ingmar Bergman's Idyllic Swedish Isle
- July 30, 2009 15:35
Dense pine groves, rugged boulders, and fields of poppies. Ocean-fronted lodges with sweeping sea views. A romantic village and secluded sunbathing. Sound like the backdrop of a classic film? These rustic elements were the muse of legendary director Ingmar Bergman, who immortalized the serene Baltic island of Fårö, off the coast of Gotland, Sweden, in a number of his most memorable films.
Bergman first visited Fårö in 1960 while scouting out a location to shoot "Through a Glass Darkly." Immediately, he was struck by the singular natural beauty of this enchanted isle. Soon after Fårö became Bergman's home and the encompassing pebble beaches, wide meadows, and pine forests became the backdrop of his most-acclaimed films including, “Persona,” “The Shame,” and “The Passion of Anna."
“If one wished to be solemn, it could be said that I had found my real home," Bergman wrote in his memoirs. 'If one wished to be light hearted, it could be said that it was love at first sight.”
Now available in a Christie's Great Estates auction ending August 20, Bergman's estate includes four delightful dwellings. The magnificent oceanview main house, Hammars, was designed by architect Kjell Abramson in collaboration with Bergman. A two-room timber writing lodge overlooks the sea; this ideal getaway spot can be seen in the television drama “Scenes from a Marriage.” Built in the classic Gotland style, Ängen is the winter lodge in a wide meadow, featuring a grand fireplaced living room. The summer months welcome swaths of lilacs. Close to the water is Dämba, a meticulously restored 1854 farmhouse. Bergman’s private cinema, where he retreated daily to watch films, is ensconced in a white-washed barn.
Known as the city of roses and ruins, nearby Visby is a historic village with romantic dining.
Bergman, who died in 2007, left a will stating his estate should be auctioned. The Art Newspaper reported in June that The Faro Bergman Center Foundation is seeking a buyer for the estate who will keep the property open to film buffs and Bergman fans.