Holckenhavn Castle

A Renaissance stronghold by the fjord

Holckenhavn Castle sits on a square castle island just off the shore of Holckenhavn Fjord, an inlet of the Great Belt that curls south of Nyborg. Approaching across the water, you see red-brick wings, stepped gables and a tall bell tower reflected in the moat, giving the complex a storybook quality. Despite its romantic appearance, the castle grew from a medieval manor whose roots reach back to the late 14th century, when the estate was known as Kogsbølle. The present castle took shape between the late 1500s and early 1600s, when successive owners embraced the fashionable Renaissance style. The result is a cohesive four-winged residence around an inner courtyard, with symmetry, ornamented facades and careful proportions that still define the experience of entering the gatehouse today.

Noble families and a change of name

For more than two centuries the property belonged to the powerful Ulfeldt family, who moved the seat closer to the water after 1580 and gave it the name Ulfeldtsholm. Later it became known as Ellensborg under the energetic ownership of Ellen Marsvin, one of the most influential noblewomen of her age. She added an entire west wing and reshaped the complex into the four-sided layout you see now. The castle gained its current name in 1672, when Eiler Holck acquired the estate and founded the Barony of Holckenhavn. Remarkably, his descendants have held it ever since, overseeing alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries and a thorough restoration in the early 1900s that respected the original craftsmanship while updating the interiors for modern living.

Architecture, chapel and great halls

Architecturally, Holckenhavn is a showcase of Danish Renaissance design. The north and east wings and the main gate wing were completed around 1585, and the imposing bell tower soon followed. Inside, the highlight is the richly decorated chapel created in the 1630s, where intricate wood carvings by master craftsman Hans Dreier frame the altar and galleries beneath a domed ceiling. A grand knights’ hall with heavy beams, panelled walls and long views across the courtyard underlines the castle’s former role as a seat of power and ceremony. Elsewhere, elegant salons and dining rooms combine antique detailing with contemporary furniture, reflecting the building’s present life as a venue for events where historical atmosphere and modern comfort go hand in hand.

Moats, barns and landscaped grounds

Beyond the main residence, the grounds reveal layers of history in their own right. The castle platform is encircled by water, crossed by causeways that once served defensive purposes but now add to the sense of arrival. On the outer estate stands a large brick barn from 1629, the sole survivor of a farm complex destroyed by fire in the early 20th century, offering a rare glimpse of period agricultural architecture. Around the buildings, carefully maintained lawns, old trees and views towards the fjord create a peaceful parkland setting. Depending on current arrangements, parts of the grounds can sometimes be appreciated on a stroll, while guided tours and organised visits open up selected interiors to those curious about the castle’s stories and craftsmanship.

Today’s fairytale venue

In the present day Holckenhavn Castle has reinvented itself as a high-end backdrop for weddings, conferences and private gatherings. A limited number of guest rooms tucked into the wings allow multi-day stays, while flexible event spaces host everything from corporate meetings to elaborate celebrations. Rather than a public museum with fixed opening hours, it operates primarily by reservation and scheduled tours. For travellers exploring Funen, Holckenhavn offers a glimpse of aristocratic Denmark at a human scale: a family-owned estate where centuries of history, waterside scenery and well-preserved architecture combine into an intimate, highly curated experience.