Sukkerfabrikken

Sukkerfabrikken is a historic building on Langeland that houses the Tranekaer Center.

The Story of Sukkerfabrikken

Idyllically situated just south of Tranekær Castle, Count Frederik Ahlefeldt-Laurvig established Denmark's first Sukkerfabrik in 1804. The English Wars had led to a sugar shortage, and attempts were made to produce sugar from potatoes. However, the dream of producing sugar at the factory was abandoned in 1810, as the Count never succeeded in crystallising the sugar.

Instead, the factory produced syrup, spirits, and beer. It later became home to the estate inspector and estate manager. In the 1980s and 90s, the building housed a production school, and the Home Guard also made use of the old factory.

A red barn surrounded by green trees under a clear blue sky.

The Venue

In 2004, our family took over and completely renovated the old Sukkerfabrik. Today, the venue is used for various courses, workshops, training programmes, and other events.

Sukkerfabrikken It exudes a warm, welcoming vibe with a homey atmosphere. Cozy living rooms and common areas. There is room for 20 overnight guests, accommodated in 8 unique double rooms and 4 single rooms, all featuring comfortable beds.

Trine and Mille love to treat their guests to delicious homemade food made from high-quality ingredients. 

The place has a great atmosphere. Sukkerfabrikken It’s surrounded by a beautiful park with a lake and the edge of a forest, so there are plenty of opportunities to find a cozy spot—both indoors and outdoors.

A townhouse with a red-painted facade and a Hunton-style wooden roof with eaves and chimneys. A garden with plants, flowers, a glass window, and outdoor furniture.

The Family

Sukkerfabrikken is run as a family business.

TrineMor lives on the property and oversees the day-to-day operations of Sukkerfabrikken. She is both the hostess and a passionate lover of cooking and high-quality ingredients. Before Trine launched this project, she had spent several years running an organic farm, working on nature restoration, wind turbine projects, residential facilities for children and youth, and much more—all of which focused on nature, the environment, mindfulness, spirituality, and human development. All of these elements are a natural part of Sukkerfabrikken’s foundation.

Her daughter, Mille, is a goldsmith and a social educator, and she lives in Tranekær. Mille helps out with all sorts of practical tasks in day-to-day operations to keep everything running smoothly at Sukkerfabrikken —whether it’s building expansions and maintenance, coordinating with contractors, purchasing supplies, or many other tasks. 

His son Adam lives and works part-time in Copenhagen as a goldsmith and otherwise spends as much time as possible on Langeland, where he founded Adamas, and helps with marketing, finance, and new initiatives at Sukkerfabrikken. 

Together, as a family, they want to continue developing Sukkerfabrikken as a creative and sustainable spiritual development center that offers enriching, high-quality experiences. 

Four people are standing outside in a green park. An older woman in the center, a younger woman on the left, and a younger man on the right are smiling and looking at the camera.

VISION

An Oasis for Creativity, Spirituality, and Community

Sukkerfabrikken Tranekær is more than just a retreat center; it is a sanctuary where people come together to grow, explore their inner lives, and connect with both themselves and one another. Since 2004, we have been working to realize our dream of creating an ecological and sustainable center that provides space for learning, creative expression, and spiritual growth.

Under the leadership of Mille and Adam, we continue the legacy that Trine has built. We invest our time and resources in creating a foundation that enables the centre to be financially self-sustaining, while preserving its philanthropic spirit. Our vision is to establish the Center as a meeting place for all who seek insight, creativity, and personal development.

Creativity and Spirituality

We offer a wide range of courses, festivals, and workshops, with a focus on yoga, meditation, dance, tantra, and arts and crafts. Our events inspire and engage, serving as gateways to deeper immersion and learning. Throughout the year, we will continue to attract skilled facilitators who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience.

Environment and Sustainability

We are deeply committed to creating a sustainable future, both for the environment and for the people who visit us. Our kitchen prioritises quality ingredients from the local area and our own kitchen garden. We have a clear strategy to minimise waste and protect our beautiful surroundings, which includes tidying up natural areas and investing in sustainable heating and energy systems.

Community and Collaboration

Tranekaer Center aims to build a strong community of mindful, creative people. We want to collaborate with local partners, including Tranekær Castle and local artisans, artists, and producers, to strengthen ties in the area and foster a culture of mutual support.

Inspiration and Future

We see Tranekaer Center as a space where new ideas can flourish and where people can find their voice. Inspired by established centers such as Ängsbacka in Sweden, we dream of attracting people from near and far so that we can share knowledge, art, and life experiences.

Our long-term vision includes growth in both activities and accommodation options, so we can accommodate more participants and offer even more experiences. We wish to develop our facilities, including the addition of new spaces for workshops and other events, which will further enrich our programme.

A Safe and Inclusive Space

Tranekaer Center is a drug-free environment where respect and compassion are the focus. We strive to create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome and where there is room for both deep conversations and play.

PROJECTS

We constantly have many new projects in the pipeline and are working to develop and improve the place with new facilities and activities.

Our goal is to create a magical destination that can inspire, transform, and bring people together.

Warm regards
Trine, Mille & Adam

An aerial view of a village surrounded by green trees and fields, with red and yellow houses, some with thatched roofs and others with shingle roofs.