Hovdala Castle

Hässleholm, Sweden

The oldest parts of Hovdala castle date from the 16th century, although it was first time mentioned already in the 12th century. There are so-called anchoring irons visible on the facade of one of the buildings are marked with the date 1511. Hovdala's gate tower, built in the early 1600's, served as a formidable entrance for the complex. This four-storey structure, with three-foot walls, withstood intensive fighting during Scania's turbulent periods. Hovdala Castle is today a popular visitor attraction and it is managed by the National Board of Antiques.

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Address

Hovdala Slottet 6223, Hässleholm, Sweden
See all sites in Hässleholm

Details

Founded: ca. 1511
Category: Castles and fortifications in Sweden
Historical period: Kalmar Union (Sweden)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.travelgatesweden.se
www.hassleholm.se

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Vannaröd Castle (7,2 km)


Håstad Church (47,7 km)
St. Olaf's Church (58,1 km)
Eslöv Museum (38,9 km)
Veberöd Church (54,1 km)
Röstånga Church (28,5 km)
Degeberga Church (37,9 km)
Bosjökloster (28 km)
Perstorp Church (20,6 km)
Trinity Church (28,5 km)

User Reviews

de Gourét Litchfield (5 months ago)
An historic building and area with a great many activities and some beautiful scenery in the area... not least the Tree House and sleeping pods up on a nearby ridge.
Sebastian Huynh (6 months ago)
Its a wonderful place to relax and take a walk.
Anna Cismasu (8 months ago)
We took a brief visit as it was raining lots that day. Nothing we could visit inside of you don't get to come in time for the guiding. Nice and I'm sure you get much to see on a sunny day. If you love Batman and Dracula you got to see the exhibition. Love the red building called Orangeriet where they brought exotic plants when the Ehrenborgs owned the castle.
Pälle Syrén Mandelkonvalj (8 months ago)
An out of the ordinary castle dating back to the 16th century. Complete with bullet holes from the many wars between Denmark and Sweden. The castle is frequently host to different events during the year, such as medieval festivals, bat excursions and historic lectures. Has a restaurant and a cafe.
Gregor Shapiro (10 months ago)
Wonderful setting, especially in nice weather. One of, if not the, best gift shops weight crafts I have ever been in. A fine restaurant and a nice café.
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Beersel Castle

The moated castle at Beersel is one of the few exceptionally well-preserved examples of medieval fortifications in Belgium. It remains pretty much as it must have appeared in the 15th century. Remarkably, it was never converted into a fortified mansion. A visitor is able to experience at first-hand how it must have felt to live in a heavily fortified castle in the Middle Ages.

The castle was built in around 1420 as a means of defence on the outer reaches of Brussels. The tall, dense walls and towers were intended to hold any besiegers at bay. The moat and the marshy ground along its eastern, southern and western edges made any attack a formidable proposition. For that reason, any attackers would have chosen its weaker northern defences where the castle adjoins higher lying ground. But the castle was only taken and destroyed on one occasion in 1489, by the inhabitants of Brussels who were in rebellion against Maximilian of Austria.

After being stormed and plundered by the rebels it was partially rebuilt. The pointed roofs and stepped gables are features which have survived this period. The reconstruction explains why two periods can be identified in the fabric of the edifice, particularly on the outside.

The red Brabant sandstone surrounds of the embrasures, now more or less all bricked up, are characteristic of the 15th century. The other embrasures, edged with white sandstone, date from the end of the 15th century. They were intended for setting up the artillery fire. The merlons too are in white sandstone. The year 1617 can be clearly seen in the foundation support on the first tower. This refers to restorations carried out at the time by the Arenberg family.

Nowadays, the castle is dominated by three massive towers. The means of defence follow the classic pattern: a wide, deep moat surrounding the castle, a drawbridge, merlons on the towers, embrasures in the walls and in the towers, at more or less regular intervals, and machiolations. Circular, projecting towers ensured that attacks from the side could be thwarted. If the enemy were to penetrate the outer wall, each tower could be defended from embrasures facing onto the inner courtyard.

The second and third towers are flanked by watchtowers from which shots could be fired directly below. Between the second and third tower are two openings in the walkway on the wall. It is not clear what these were used for. Were these holes used for the disposing of rubbish, or escape routes. The windows on the exterior are narrow and low. All light entering comes from the interior. The few larger windows on the exterior date from a later period. It is most probable that the third tower - the highest - was used as a watchtower.

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