Historical Origin

Egeskov Castle was built in 1554, when the Reformation triggered a turbulent period of civil war. Most Danish nobles built their homes into fortifications, and Egeskov Castle was no exception. It was built with a unique oak pile foundation. Legend has it that a whole forest of oak trees was used to build these pile foundations. Its name "Egeskov" means "oak forest" in Danish. The castle was originally accessible only by a drawbridge. It was built on the edge of a small lake with a maximum depth of 5 meters. The natural waters and solid building structures together formed a solid defense barrier. The castle consists of two long buildings connected by a double wall more than 1 meter thick. There are secret stairs and wells hidden in the double wall. There are also blastholes and oil pouring holes on the outer wall, which have significant defensive functions. This castle, which embodies history and wisdom, has stood firm for hundreds of years and has become one of the best-preserved Renaissance-style waterside castles in Europe.

Castle Features

Unique architectural style: The entire Iesko Castle is built with traditional Danish red bricks, which is simple and elegant. The spire of the castle is soaring into the sky, and it contrasts with the surrounding blue sky, green trees and clear water, forming a beautiful picture. The Knight's Hall is solemn and majestic, as if telling the heroic deeds of the knights in the past. The interior of the castle is gorgeously decorated. From exquisite murals to ancient furniture, every detail shows the taste and luxury of the nobility. Walking through it, it seems to travel through time and space and return to the glorious Renaissance era. The beautiful garden maze: The castle's garden is unique and has won the "European Garden Heritage Association" Honor Award, the 2012 "European Garden Award" and the title of "Europe's Best Historic Garden". It was also nominated by CNN as one of the "12 World's Top Classic Gardens". The garden is shaded by trees, lush flowers and plants, and winding paths. The most attractive one is the garden maze, which is composed of tall hedges and is intricate. Stepping into it, it feels like being in a mysterious world. You need to rely on your wisdom and sense of direction to find the exit. In the process of exploration, you can occasionally find surprise landscapes such as sculptures and fountains hidden in the corners, which adds a lot of fun to the whole journey. Rich collection of exhibits: There is a museum in the castle, which collects many precious items. There are all kinds of vintage and rare collections of the castle owner, covering various objects from ancient times to the present. For example, in the hunting exhibition hall, real animal specimens and hunting tools collected by the castle owner's ancestors are displayed, which makes people sigh at their adventurous spirit and collection enthusiasm. In addition, there is an exhibition hall filled with all kinds of cool vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles, ambulances and carriages, and even vintage airplanes. These collections can be traced back to the 1920s, and each one carries a specific historical memory, as if telling visitors stories from the past.

Recommended attractions

Climbing the suspension bridge in the air: Visitors who want to experience excitement must not miss climbing the suspension bridge in the air. When you step on the swaying suspension bridge, feel the tension and excitement brought by the high altitude, and overlook the castle and the surrounding beautiful scenery, that unique experience will definitely make your heart beat faster and leave a deep memory. ​

Happy time in the children's play area: Iesko Castle is also a paradise for children. In the children's play area, children can play to their heart's content. They can walk on stilts and feel the different balance fun; they can also participate in soap box competitions to show their creativity and hands-on ability; they can also compete with their parents in tug-of-war competitions and enjoy a happy time of parent-child interaction. ​

Explore the interior of the castle: Go inside the castle, visit each room, and feel the decorative style and life atmosphere of different periods. Admire the exquisite murals, gorgeous chandeliers and ancient furniture, and imagine the scenes of the nobles living here. At the same time, don't forget to visit the castle owner's studio, hunting room and other rooms to learn about their lives and hobbies.

Visiting Guide

Opening hours: Open from Monday to Sunday all year round, from 10:00 to 17:00. However, it is recommended that tourists check the official website information in advance to prevent special circumstances from causing changes in opening hours. ​

Ticket price: June 22-September 2, adult tickets are 225 Danish kroner, children (4-12 years old) 135 Danish kroner; April 28-June 21 and September 2-October 20, adult tickets are 195 Danish kroner, children are 115 Danish kroner.

Transportation

From Copenhagen, you can first take a train from the Central Station to Odense Station. Then take the train to Kværndrup St. train station (one way takes about 25 minutes, one bus every 60 minutes, departing at 13 minutes), and then walk 2.8 kilometers to reach the castle; or take the train to Ringe St. train station (one way takes about 20 minutes, one bus every 15-30 minutes), then take bus No. 920 and get off at Egeskov Gade (Danish: Faaborg Midtfyn) station to arrive (one way takes about 14 minutes, one bus every 60 minutes, departing at 18 minutes), or you can take a taxi from Ringe train station, the one-way fare is about 160dkk.​

If you depart from Odense, you can take the train at Odense Main Station, get off at Kværndrup and then take bus No. 920, get off at Egeskov Gade (Faaborg Midtfyn); you can also choose to walk after getting off the bus, the distance is about 3km.

Walking into Egeskov Castle is like stepping into a real fairy tale world. Pack your bags, come to Egeskov Castle, and start your fairy tale journey!