I love visiting ruins and especially castle ruins. Stepping back in history and seeing the traces of history is such a good way of learning about the past. I also really love the old aesthetics.

Kalø Castle is located in eastern Jutland, Denmark within Mols Bjerge National Park. This castle from the 1300s sits on the island of Kalø which is connected to the mainland by a 500-meter-long artificial embarkment rising just above sea level.

It truly looks like something out of Tolkiens universe!

Constructed by the Danish king Erik Menved in 1313, it was one of the last four strongholds in Jutland built to counter the ongoing rebellions in Jutland. Even though it was successful in its purpose already in 1320 the new king was forced to tear it down. As the crown lost its grip on Kalø it was mortgaged and the castle fell into decay.

In the 1600s the Count of Laurvig decided to tear down the abandoned ruin and use the material to build his private palace in Copenhagen, Charlottenborg Palace.

However, in the 1800s Kalø was declared a protected site and in 1903 a Danish architect started the process of restoring Kalø Castle. Today it is owned by the Danish site and makes for a beautiful day out!