Østerholm Castle ruin

Distance: 12.36 Km

There have been 4 castles on the island of Als in the Renaissance period (1300-1600) - today there are 3 left.

Today, there are three castles on Als, but in his time there have been four.

The foundations of Østerholm Castle can be seen in the village of Østerholm, which is located by the Nørreskoven.

In 1555 Thomas Sture, Helwithgaard, built with its chapel. The church service is performed from Nordborg until 1584, when it is transferred to Egen Kirke.

Duke Hans the Younger took over the farm in 1584 and renamed it Østerholm. Hans transforms the farm into a hunting and hunting castle. Two diagonally positioned towers with copper-plated onion domes and a French-inspired stair tower are erected.

Duke Hans the Young's first wife, Prince Elisabeth, dies at Østerholm on February 11, 1586 and is buried in the newly decorated burial chapel at Sønderborg Castle.

Østerholm is later used as a widow's seat. Duchess Eleonora moves in after Duke Frederick's death in 1658 and lives on Østerholm until her death in 1680 after a long illness.

Duchess Elisabeth Charlotte is the last in the widow's seat at the castle. She sits on Østerholm Castle after Duke August's death in 1699 and until her death in 1723.

Østerholm Castle is sold to Frederik IV. in 1723. The king does not use the castle and it is allowed to lapse. Ten years later, the palace is judged by a building commission to be in such severe disrepair that it cannot be salvaged. Østerholm is broken down to the base and the building materials are recycled eg. at the construction of Nygård and Hjortholm on Kegnæs, as well as Solbjerggård.

The castle ruin is located on Voldstedvej and there is public access.



Updated by: Destination Sønderjylland - Sønderborg | info@visitsonderborg.com
Photographer: Conni Ernst Copyright: VisitSønderborg