Jens Kraft’s Room

Jens Kraft Dinesen (1768–1827) was a central figure in the history of Kragerup. Birgitte Dinesen, the 8th generation of the Dinesen family at Kragerup Estate, shares the story of the first Dinesen at Kragerup.

"This was the man who purchased Kragerup Estate in 1801, transforming it from a medieval fortress into a welcoming neoclassical building with two stories and 15 window bays. The castle was originally red and dark, but Jens Kraft brightened the buildings and repositioned the main house to face visitors, moving away from the old drawbridge that had kept them at bay. Jens Kraft was a modern and aesthetic man who gave Kragerup Estate its empire style that we see today."

"Jens Kraft was married to Johanne Ulrica Birgitte Christine Gøring. Together they had three children, the eldest of whom was Anders Didrich Dinesen, who later took over Kragerup Estate. Their nine-years-younger son, Adolph Vilhelm Dinesen (Karen Blixen’s grandfather), purchased Katholm. He was an officer, politician, and landowner, and father to Captain Dinesen (Karen Blixen’s father). Their third child was a daughter, Julie Frederikke Dinesen, about whom we know little except that she passed away at the age of 71 on Christmas Eve 1880 at Bjergbygaard Estate near Holbæk."