Tourism and history

Tourism

Visit the restored renaissance castle Harridslevgaard 3km from Bogense, which offers you an exciting cultural experience. The castle is mentioned back to King Valdemar’s cadaster of 1231. The present building is from 1606. Totally 1550 sqm. can be seen of the main building in 3 stories, fx. the great hall, which is Denmark’s largest in private possession, and the arched dungeon below the ground floor. Afterwards you are welcome to take a walk in the beautiful area with peacocks.  

Season 2010

Prices:
Adults: kr. 60,- /  € 8,-
Children 3 - 12: kr. 30,- / € 4,-

Open all year for groups after agreement. 
Price kr. 50,- /  € 6,70 per person. At lease 30 persons.

A journey back in history

Harridslevgaard was earlier called the Castle of Robbers and is said to have been the resort of pirates in the Middle Ages.
At that time the sea was right at Harridslevgaard and one had a fine view of the sea. On the outside placed iron catches on the tower, lanterns were hung in order to make the ships believe that it was a lighthouse, whereafter the robbers quickly could get on board and rob whatever could get robbed.

'Haræslef' is mentioned back to King Valdemar's cadaster of 1231 as belonging to the Crown's castles, and like many of Denmark's castles, the destiny of Harridslevgaard was to change hands, at times with few generations interval.

1589 the chancellor Breide Rantzau takes possession of the Middle Age castle, which he demolishes, and in 1606 the present renaissance main building in 3 storeys is built with the big, octagonal tower to the castle court.
The main portal's plates of sandstone between the 2 sculptures of sandstone showes the names of Sir Breide Rantzau and his 3 wifes plus the building year 1606.

For several decades the outside of the castle had whitewashed walls, but is now restored to its original red monastery bricks, and Harridslevgaard is again presented as in the renaissance, as if history and the ravages of time unspoilt have passed the grand building.

Owners

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