Egeskov Castle

On the island of Funen, near the village of Kværndrup, Egeskov stands in the middle of its own lake — a Renaissance castle built directly on the water. Completed in 1554 by the nobleman Frans Brockenhuus, it is the best-preserved moated castle in Europe, raised on thousands of oak piles driven into the lake bed; its name, "Egeskov", means "oak forest".

Built in troubled years, the castle was also a fortress: twin houses joined by a thick double wall, with a secret well, defensive openings and a drawbridge as the only way in. Today it remains privately owned and lived in, yet large parts are open to visitors.

What it is famous for

Egeskov is famous for the way castle, garden and collection come together. The grounds hold some of the finest gardens in Denmark — Renaissance parterres, a fuchsia garden, and one of the world's oldest surviving hedge mazes. Inside the old farm buildings are large museums of vintage cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages and aircraft.

The castle interiors, hung with hunting trophies, portraits and historic furniture, can be visited room by room, while the park offers tree-top walks, play areas and seasonal events that make Egeskov one of the most visited attractions on Funen.

Good to know

Egeskov is an outdoor destination as much as a castle, and is open seasonally — typically from spring to autumn — with a single ticket covering the grounds, gardens and museums. It lies between Odense and Svendborg; the nearest station is Kværndrup, a short distance away, and there is ample parking for those arriving by car.