Before the storm
by Inge Riis McDonald
Title
Before the storm
Artist
Inge Riis McDonald
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Egeskov Castle before a big storm.
For more than 450 years, Egeskov castle (Oak forest Castle) has stood in its beautiful location in the landscape of Southern Funen, the middle island of Denmark. The name Egeskov is famous for being the best preserved moat castle in Europe.
Egeskov Castle, as we see it today, was built by Frands Brockenhuus and was completed in 1554. A few years prior to this, he had married Anne Tinhuus who had taken over the original estate from her parents.
In those days, political unrest, the Reformation and the Counts' Feud caused many landowners to build their houses as well-protected castles, and Frands Brockenhuus was no exception. He built his castle in the middle of a lake on a foundation of oak pilings, according to legend, in such quantities that "it took an oak forest to do it".
The building, which looks so peaceful and idyllic to today's visitors was built for defense purposes. It consists of two long houses connected by a thick double wall - the first house could be abandoned and the fight continued from the second house. The double wall is so thick; it contains hidden stairs and a well to secure a water supply during a siege. The outer walls have machicolations for dropping solids or liquids on the enemy and embrasures, and the enemy's flank could be shot at from the towers. In addition, the only access to the house was across the drawbridge.
In the more than 400 years that have passed since it was built, various families have lived in the castle. In 1784, Egeskov was sold to Henrik Bille whose descendants have owned the castle ever since. In 1883, Julius Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille moved into Egeskov and, during his time at the castle, it was restored.
The castle today is a large, modern farm with its own dairy, power station and railway track.
Uploaded
February 2nd, 2014
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