Mist hovers over the moat as dawn breaks behind the twin towers of Egeskov Castle, a Renaissance fairy tale rising from the Danish island of Funen. Legend claims the entire structure rests on a foundation of oak pilings requiring an entire forest, giving the castle its name meaning oak forest. Inside, creaking floorboards lead through rooms filled with antique dolls, vintage motorcycles, and medieval tapestries.
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Egeskov Castle (Egeskov Slot) is located in Denmark and is considered the best preserved and also the most beautiful Renaissance water castle in Europe. This cultural and historical monument is the second most visited place in the island of Funen. The castle is situated in the southern part of the island, between Svendborg and Odense cities.
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Egeskov Castle was built in 1544 on oak stilts in the middle of the water.
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\nPhoto licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Rico Bergholdt Hansen
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The castle is still inhabited so only few room are available to the tourists. Old family history is often completely in contrast with modern times. In addition to a painting of modern art which hangs above the old stone fireplace, but also in one of the rooms, you can find the superman costume (the original costume from the first Hollywood film) right next to grandfather’s armor. It is hard to overlook also a collection of dolls with the faces of some female members of the royal family. Among them are the first and second wife of the current landowner. Dolls have a beautiful house, which was designed by a retired soldier for his granddaughter. It took him 7 years. Everything is invented in the greatest detail.
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View Egeskov Castle – the most beautiful Renaissance water castle in Europe Denmark in a larger map
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The water area is surrounded by a beautiful park with a labyrinth. There is a beautiful herb garden waiting for lovers of spices and herbs. You will find a lot of museums here, cafe, gift shop and other traders who want to capitalize on tourism.
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You can stay overnight in the camping that is just near the castle. It is only available for tents and is completely free.
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Egeskov Castle is open daily from May to September (from 10:00am to 5:00pm, during the summer even longer) and basic admission is €21.
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For further details see the official website of Egeskov Castle.
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View Egeskov Castle – the most beautiful Renaissance water castle in Europe Denmark in a larger map
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The Vintage Car Museum and Titania Palace
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Egeskov Castle houses one of Europe’s finest vintage vehicle collections in its converted 17th-century barn. Over 200 automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft span from a 1904 Darracq with chain drive and wooden-spoke wheels to a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. Highlights include a stunning 1932 Bugatti Type 49 with its original coachwork and a 1925 Fiat 509 that belonged to Danish royalty. A separate hall displays 50 motorcycles, including a 1928 Harley-Davidson JD with sidecar and the 1936 Nimbus Luxus that the Danish police used until 1961. The most curious exhibit sits in the Titania Palace, a dollhouse so elaborate it took carpenter Hans Jensen 7 years to complete between 1907 and 1914. The 1:12 scale model contains 2,500 hand-carved items, working electric lights, and a miniature grand piano that actually plays. The palace has 21 rooms decorated in period styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau, with 1/10th of a gram of gold used for the gilding in the banqueting hall.
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Herb Gardens and the Lavender Labyrinth
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The castle grounds include four distinct garden areas designed for both beauty and utility. The formal herb garden contains over 80 varieties of medicinal and culinary plants arranged in geometric beds, including lavender, rosemary, sage, and the rare Danish agermane used in traditional folk remedies. Each bed is labelled with the plant’s Latin name and its historical use. The herb garden feeds directly into the castle’s cafe, where the seasonal menu incorporates fresh-picked herbs. The lavender labyrinth, planted in 2000, forms a 500-metre hedge maze of English lavender that reaches chest height by July. The maze takes most visitors 20 to 30 minutes to solve, with a viewing platform at the centre offering a complete perspective of the castle across the moat. The maze is at its peak fragrance and colour from mid-June to early August. Garden access is included in the standard castle admission of €21.
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Would you spend a night in a Renaissance water castle if you had the chance? 🏰
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