Harridslevgaard Castle, Bogense, Denmark

As the only manor house in North Funen, Harridslevgaard castle near Bogense is open to visitors during the season. The castle was first mentioned in 1231 and at that time the water went right up to Harridslevgaard. According to old legend, sea pirates were residing here. However the present building is dated back to l606. For some years Harridslevgaard was whitewashed, but now it has been brought back to its original form. The great hall which is rented out to arrangements/occasions, is the largest of its kind in private ownership in Denmark. The old vaulted castle kitchen is rented out for gourmet dinners and the Middle Ages cellar is rented out for winetasting. By appointment the castle will be open all year for large groups.

References:

Visit Denmark

User Reviews

Mikko Homanen (2 years ago)
Decided to take a detour to take a look at this castle since reviews said it's worth a visit. No, it's not. At least not if you're not staying overnight, since there is no place to park anywhere and signs denying driving for "unauthorised" vehicles on both entrances. Don't bother if you don't intend to spend the night or spend time finding a decent place to park along these small countryside roads. 1/5 because got a nice glimpse of the castle from the road.

Monique Hut (2 years ago)
It was very nice, walking the grounds. Love the peacocks and the slot looked very interesting. It wasn't open sadly, wish we could have seen more.

Heidi Hansen (3 years ago)
God

Karoline Skovgaard (3 years ago)
Absolutely worth a visit. Very unique, special and dreamy. Love the decor and the peacocks. It has everything a castle should have and you get into the atmosphere and get inspired

Joakim Ölund (3 years ago)
A old castle in a bit of "worn" state. Interesting history, fun to be able to walk around on your own. Worth a visit for the price.

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Château de Falaise is best known as a castle, where William the Conqueror, the son of Duke Robert of Normandy, was born in about 1028. William went on to conquer England and become king and possession of the castle descended through his heirs until the 13th century when it was captured by King Philip II of France. Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840 it has been protected as a monument historique.

The castle (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy. The construction was started on the site of an earlier castle in 1123 by Henry I of England, with the 'large keep' (grand donjon). Later was added the 'small keep' (petit donjon). The tower built in the first quarter of the 12th century contained a hall, chapel, and a room for the lord, but no small rooms for a complicated household arrangement; in this way, it was similar to towers at Corfe, Norwich, and Portchester, all in England. In 1202 Arthur I, Duke of Brittany was King John of England's nephew, was imprisoned in Falaise castle's keep. According to contemporaneous chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall, John ordered two of his servants to mutilate the duke. Hugh de Burgh was in charge of guarding Arthur and refused to let him be mutilated, but to demoralise Arthur's supporters was to announce his death. The circumstances of Arthur's death are unclear, though he probably died in 1203.

In about 1207, after having conquered Normandy, Philip II Augustus ordered the building of a new cylindrical keep. It was later named the Talbot Tower (Tour Talbot) after the English commander responsible for its repair during the Hundred Years' War. It is a tall round tower, similar design to the towers built at Gisors and the medieval Louvre.Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840, Château de Falaise has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

A programme of restoration was carried out between 1870 and 1874. The castle suffered due to bombardment during the Second World War in the battle for the Falaise pocket in 1944, but the three keeps were unscathed.

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