Ekenäs Castle, in Linköping Municipality, Östergötland, Sweden, boasts a rich history that spans over five centuries. The present castle was constructed in the 17th century, replacing a medieval fortress dating back to the 14th century. The lake surrounding the castle hill, originally a natural defense, was drained in the late 19th century to expand arable land. Ekenäs Castle showcases three square towers with Baroque tower domes and corner towers guarding the entrance vault, making it a unique architectural masterpiece.
Svante Sture, a son-in-law of King Erik XIV, built a stone house on the site in 1592, while Per Gustafsson Banér carried out a Renaissance-style rebuild between 1630 and 1644. The castle has changed hands over the centuries, including the Banér family, Count Philip O. L. Klingspor, and now the Bergengren family, who acquired it in 1939. After a period of disrepair and neglect following World War II, Swedish authorities declared Ekenäs Castle a site of national cultural significance in 1974, resulting in the castle's restoration by its owners.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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