Ekenäs Castle, Linköping, Sweden

The present Ekenäs castle was built in the 17th century on top of the foundations of a medieval fortress from the 14th century. Ekenäs is one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden with its three impressive shingled towers. Its military character is clearly shown by the surrounding moat and its situation on a cliff on the shore of a lake which has since been drained. One of the first owners of the property was Svante Sture, who lived during the reign of King Erik XIV. Sture built the first stonehouse built on this rock in 1562. Baron Peder Banér, councellor of the King, owned Ekenäs in 1630 - 1644. The castle was built in a Renaissance style.

Ekenäs is, and has always been, a privately owned castle. Visitors are welcome year-round, however, the castle itself is only open during the summer. A jousting tournament and Medieval festival has been held here in May/June every year since 1993.

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User Reviews

Vas Eco (2 years ago)
Beautiful Christmas market, there could be more merchants and for a longer period of time.

Emil Lindroth (2 years ago)
Ekenäs Castle makes an impression that lasts! Great place and the tours of the castle are amazing! I went to a private gathering in the church hall - what a mesmerizing place. It has all the things you look for in an old enchanted building like this. Hidden passages, ghosts(!) - the works! This is a must visit if you're in those parts of Sweden. They also have a midieval festival in the early days of summer that is pure fun. Ekenäs Castle is simply put lovely.

Damith Jinasena (3 years ago)
We visited Ekenäs castle to see the Riddarspel (knights games). It was a wonderful event full of joy and amusement. Must see event during spring ?⚔️??

SPIROS BONIS (3 years ago)
Magnificent place and people. That make you feel you are in medieval times!

Andreea Galetschi (5 years ago)
One of the few castels in Sweden that really looks like a castel not only a mansion-like who got the name "castel".

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Ekenäs Castle

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