Haus Egelborg is a moated castle, the oldest part of which was built in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. The imposing complex was first mentioned in documents in the 14th century and is located to the west of the town of Legden in a large wooded area.
From the beginning until the 17th century, the Lords of Billerbeck looked after the estate. The north wing of the main house still bears witness to this period. In 1559, the octagonal stair tower was added. With the west wing now demolished, the estate was an imposing example of Dutch Renaissance architecture.
When the estate became the property of the Barons of Oer, the west wing of the manor house was demolished in 1710 and replaced by a Baroque building, which was completed in 1713. In 1767, a half-timbered extension and a coach house were added to the complex. The residential and stable buildings south of the moat were erected in 1832. The imposing outer bailey, which today first delights visitors, was built in neo-Gothic style in 1866.
The Baron von Oer family still occupies the estate today, which is why it is not open to the public and can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The baron himself guides visitors around the estate, which is steeped in tradition, and into the house's own chapel. But Haus Egelborg is also a worthwhile destination without a guided tour. Numerous hiking trails lead around the beautiful moated castle and through the adjacent Egelborg Forest. During relaxed walks, you can always enjoy a fascinating view of the beautiful Haus Egelborg from a distance.
References:Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.
German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.
After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.