Egeskov Castle

A Renaissance stronghold rising from the water

Egeskov Castle appears almost weightless, its red-brick towers reflected perfectly in the broad moat that surrounds it on all sides. In reality, the entire structure rests on thousands of oak piles driven into the lakebed in the mid-16th century, a feat that gave rise to the legend that an entire forest was sacrificed to keep it standing. Built in 1554 by nobleman Frands Brockenhuus during a turbulent era of religious conflict, it belongs to a rare group of true water castles, conceived from the outset as a defensive refuge. Look closely at the façades and you can still read the building’s military purpose. The twin longhouses are joined by a thick central wall pierced with narrow openings and machicolations from which defenders could pour boiling liquids or drop stones on attackers. The only access once was via a drawbridge. Today those harsh details are softened by neatly clipped lawns, beds of flowers and the tranquil waters of the moat, but the utilitarian logic of the layout remains clear.

Stories woven into noble walls

Within the castle, the atmosphere shifts from martial to intimate. High-ceilinged halls display portraits, tapestries and antique furniture that trace the fortunes of the noble families who have called Egeskov home. Since 1784 it has belonged to the Bille line and their descendants, now the Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille family, who still reside here, lending the rooms a lived-in, personal feel beneath the historical grandeur. Among the many rooms, the so‑called Rigborg chamber stands out. Here Laurids Brockenhuus is said to have confined his daughter Rigborg for years after she became pregnant outside marriage, a story that adds a human, if somber, note to the otherwise stately surroundings. Elsewhere, cabinets of curiosities, old toys and the intricate Titania’s Palace dolls’ house highlight a taste for craftsmanship and fantasy, balancing the darker tales with moments of whimsy.

Gardens shaped by centuries of care

Stepping back outside, you enter an estate where landscape design has been refined over generations. From the 17th century onwards, successive owners laid out formal gardens, tree-lined axes and water features that today form a patchwork of distinct spaces. There are French-inspired parterres with precise box hedges, rosaries heavy with scent in summer, and long vistas framing the castle’s profile. One of the most engaging features is the historic hedge maze, where tall green walls hide dead ends and shortcuts and the castle periodically appears between gaps. Beyond the formality, arboreta and wilder corners showcase rare trees and seasonal colour, while wide lawns invite picnics and free play. The careful balance between geometry and softness makes the grounds appealing in different ways throughout the season.

Museums, collections and playful corners

Egeskov is more than a castle-and-garden duo; it has grown into a small world of collections. Former farm buildings and exhibition halls house classic cars, motorbikes, vintage aircraft and agricultural machinery, charting the technological leaps of the last century. Each hall has its own focus, from glistening chrome and fins to robust tractors and fire engines that once served local communities. Younger visitors are well catered for with extensive playgrounds, rope courses and a treetop walk that lifts you into the canopy above the parkland. Interactive elements and open spaces encourage hands-on exploration rather than hushed observation. Yet, even amid the activity, there are always quieter corners by the water or under old trees where you can pause and simply absorb the setting.

A living estate in Denmark’s green heart

Despite its many visitor facilities, Egeskov remains a working estate at the core of rural Funen. Fields and woodlands surround the main complex, and the farm origins of the property are still evident in outbuildings and the broader landscape. Occasional seasonal events, from light festivals to midsummer celebrations, add another layer of life without overshadowing the sense of continuity that defines the place. Spending time here is less about ticking off sights and more about moving between moods: from cool stone interiors to sunlit gardens, from the polished surfaces of vintage vehicles to the dappled shade of the moat-side paths. Egeskov’s enduring appeal lies in this variety, anchored by the improbable castle in the lake that first drew the estate into being.