Voergaard Castle

Voergaard Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Northern Europe, a moated manor dating from the sixteenth century in the countryside near Sæby in North Jutland. Behind its red-brick walls and elegant gables lies one of the finest private art collections in the region, with works attributed to masters such as Goya, Rubens and El Greco hanging alongside antique furniture, tapestries and porcelain. Wandering through the historic rooms feels like stepping into a living treasure house, where centuries of European art and craftsmanship are gathered under one roof. The castle is encircled by a picturesque moat, and its well-tended gardens and grounds lend the whole estate a fairytale atmosphere, especially in summer when the flowers are in bloom and the water mirrors the old façades. Voergaard's history is as colourful as its collections. Guided tours recount the tale of its most notorious owner, Ingeborg Skeel, a powerful and much-feared noblewoman whose legend still clings to the castle, along with stories of a ghostly white figure said to haunt the halls. These narratives bring the building's long past vividly to life for visitors of all ages. Reaching Voergaard is easy, with a drive of about ten minutes from Sæby or forty minutes from Aalborg. The castle welcomes guests from late morning into the afternoon and is closed on Mondays, with admission of 130 kroner for adults and 50 kroner for children. Summer is the ideal season, when both the interiors and the surrounding gardens can be enjoyed at their best. For lovers of history, art and a good ghost story, Voergaard Castle is one of the great hidden gems of northern Denmark. Be sure to ask your guide about the white ghost.