The place that gave birth to a dream
Experience the farm where Birgit Nilsson grew up and where she dreamed of a life in the world of opera!
The farm on the Bjäre Peninsula in South Sweden, where Birgit Nilsson lived with her parents until she was 23 years old is now a museum allowing visitors a glimpse into the simple upbringing in which Sweden’s most famous opera singer was born into. It was a life without electricity or running water and where the young Birgit helped with all the chores on the farm. She thinned out beets, planted and pulled up potatoes, harvested hay and milked the cows.
Today the museum offers visitors the chance to visit the farmhouse, preserved as it was during Birgit’s lifetime, and experience a new exhibition each year which explores the opera singer’s life and work. The museum also houses a unique collection of recordings documenting Birgit Nilsson’s entire career. The museum café serves cakes – some of which are baked according to Birgit’s own recipes – and generous sandwiches, giving fortitude to visitors before they set out on the cross country hike to the church of Västra Karup where she made her debut in the choir at the age of fourteen and is now buried.
Museum
An exhibition for all senses
The exhibition theme is new every season. The theme for 2025 is HOME REGION – “Kungliga Opera 35 years, Vienna & Munich 28, Metropolitan 22 but in Västra Karup I sang the longest!”
The exhibitions are combined with a rich audio guide that offers an in-depth experience of an outstanding operatic career. The audio guide is available in Swedish, English and German.
In the cinema you can also experience Birgit’s voice and stage presence. Also, do not miss the media room, which contains unique material.
Stable café
Mamsellen in the Stable Café
In our popular café in the farm’s old stable, we serve homemade delicacies.
In addition to sandwiches and various homemade cakes, we also serve the popular Aida cake, which is made according to Birgit’s recipe.
The stable café has been carefully renovated to provide a reminder of Birgit’s roots and offers a beautiful and tranquil environment. You can also have coffee in the sunny courtyard.
Hike in Birgits footsteps
Hiking trail
Explore the Bjäre Peninsula’s rolling landscape in Birgit’s footsteps on a 9km round walk which starts at the Museum’s car park.
Simply follow the G-Clef signs which take you on the same trail that Birgit regularly took to sing in the church choir and to meet up with friends for picnics and summer dances.
The trail is mainly paved roads and therefore accessible to everyone.
Opening hours
Birgit Nilsson Museum and Stable Café are open 17 May – 17 September 2025.
Phone 0431-311 860 or email museum@birgitnilsson.com
Museum
Visit the family home
Here you can join a guided tour of Birgit Nilsson’s parents’ home, with lots of memories from both her childhood and fantastic career.
The house is preserved in the same condition as when Birgit last lived here.
Bookings
The viewings must be pre-booked and, because the house has limited accessibility, visitors in wheelchairs or with zimmer-frames are not able to enter. Please note however that wheelchair and zimmerframe visitors easily can access the museum and café .
Make your group booking via e-mail museum@birgitnilsson.com or telephone: (+46) 0431-31 18 60
Museum
Groups
The museum welcomes group bookings during both pre- and post-season. The visits are adapted based on prevailing circumstances and restrictions and all visitors are encouraged to keep their distance and follow the instructions on site. Read more about groups here.
Make your group booking via e-mail museum@birgitnilsson.com or telephone: (+46) 0431-31 18 60
Birgit Nilsson Sällskapet
Get involved
The Birgit Nilsson Society welcomes you to be a member of a lively association that works to preserve the memory of one of the most admired operatic voices in modern history, La Nilsson.
The Society also works in spreading knowledge about Birgit Nilsson’s contributions to the development of opera singing.
