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Historical places

Egeskov Castle

4.6 · 12,452 reviews
A blend of historical grandeur and expansive, interactive museum exploration.
Egeskov Castle, Egeskov Gade 22, 5772 Kværndrup, Denmark
Interesting facts
1

The castle gets its name, meaning 'oak forest,' from the legend that an entire forest of oak trees was felled to create the foundation piles in the lake.

2

It has remained in the same family line for centuries, with the current Count and Countess living in the castle.

3

The Titania's Palace, a world-famous, highly detailed dollhouse, is permanently exhibited on the grounds.

4

The castle features a maze created from hornbeam hedges that is over 280 years old.

5

Egeskov serves as a hub for vintage transport, housing one of the largest veteran car collections in Northern Europe.

6

The exterior walls contain secret 'hidden' rooms and priest holes used for defensive purposes.

7

The gardens were awarded the 'Garden Excellence Award' by the European Garden Heritage Network.

8

It is built on a bed of oak logs, which helped stabilize the structure in the soft soil of the lake bottom.

Overview

Egeskov Castle is a 16th-century water castle situated on the island of Funen, Denmark, built on oak pilings driven into a lake bed. The site features a well-preserved Renaissance structure surrounded by an extensive park and several specialized museum collections. The castle is notable for its defensive features, including machicolations and loopholes. The grounds encompass formal gardens designed in various styles, a labyrinth, and a tree-top walkway. The interior houses an extensive collection of historic automobiles, aircraft, and motorcycles. It remains one of the most prominent examples of European Renaissance moated manor houses.

Photo spot

The reflection of the castle in the moat from the western garden path.

Insider tips

Prioritize the museum hangars first if the weather turns, as the castle interior can get crowded.

Allocate extra time for the maze, as it is surprisingly large and difficult to navigate.

Bring walking shoes suitable for gravel paths and uneven terrain across the expansive park.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to see all museum collections in a single hour; they are spread across a wide area that requires significant walking.

Good to know

The site is typically closed during the winter months, reopening annually in the spring.

Etiquette

No photography is permitted inside the private residence areas of the castle; maintain a quiet demeanor in the family-occupied wings.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
4-6 hours
Best time to visit
Late spring or early summer to see the rose gardens and perennial borders in full bloom.
Address
Egeskov Castle, Egeskov Gade 22, 5772 Kværndrup, Denmark
Website
55.176, 10.490
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsTitania's Palace, vintage car and aircraft collection, Renaissance interior halls
Garden featuresRenaissance garden, labyrinth, herb garden, and tree-top walkway

Frequently asked

Plan for about 4-6 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Late spring or early summer to see the rose gardens and perennial borders in full bloom..

The reflection of the castle in the moat from the western garden path.

Close by you'll find Egeskov Classics Museum, Egeskov Mølle, Naturama.