Abandoned 1800s Nordic Renaissance Castle | Once Owned By The Danish King

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STORY

Join us on a captivating journey as we step into uncharted territory – Denmark! Today, we unravel the mysteries of a breathtaking castle lost to the sands of time.

Constructed in 1822, this awe-inspiring castle emerged from the fusion of two neighboring farms owned by a local count. Its grandeur showcases the Danish Renaissance style, a testament to the historical richness embedded within its walls.

Throughout the ages, this castle exchanged hands numerous times, even gracing the possession of the Crown of Denmark before its very construction. Notable figure Jørgen Laursen was one of its final custodians, but the castle experienced over 20 changes of ownership during its lifetime.
Delving into its interiors, we discovered a treasure trove of stories. From ancient tile stoves to unique antique pieces scattered throughout, our exploration unveiled a hidden library room adorned with books and artifacts, emphasizing the castle's past significance.

The vast expanse of the castle, with rooms and staircases seemingly endless, whispered tales of its former glory. However, the shadow of neglect looms large – the once-majestic structure now bears the scars of time. Some areas cry out for support, and pervasive water damage threatens the very essence of this historic property.

In this video, we invite you to witness the haunting beauty of a forgotten Danish castle before it succumbs to the ravages of time. Journey with us as we peel back the layers of history and shine a light on the fading splendor of a bygone era. 🕰️

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Filmed & Edited by ES Forgotten (Danny) @ES.Forgotten

#abandoned #explore #exploring

[manuela-m]

It's nice to know, for a change, that there is a foundation trying to keep the castle alive. There is a lot of work to do, but there is hope. It is immediately easier for me to watch the video, a little less sadness in my heart. ❤

[ladyhawk]

This is one of the nicest architecturally beautiful castles I've seen so far.

[teebodk]

The reason for the sad condition of the castle is quite complex, and revolves around a legal battle that has been going on more or less since 2005.

When the previous owner, Jørgen Laursen Vig, died in 2005, the will he left behind included a sentence that has become the key element of the problems - in his will, he said that the Russian orthodox nun Mother Amvrosija should be allowed to live in the castle "for as long as she wanted"

The estate of Laursen Vig sold the castle to the current owners, the clause still intact and the nun living there. For many years, it was used for all sorts of cultural arrangements, mainly centered around international peace movements and a desire to bring people together across all religions, working for worldwide understanding.

As the years went by, the need for maintenance and restorations kept increasing, and the owners tried to find investors, but it was never quite clear how much of a say the nun actually had about the entire situation, how much of the castle would be under her "jurisdiction" so to speak, and because of this, all potential investors kept backing down, so nothing could be done to improve the condition of the castle.

The nun, and her Russian orthodox Church would prefer to have the castle turned into a convent. In 2017, the condition of the castle had deteriorated so much, that it was considered unsafe for public arrangements, and the nun also stopped living there for the same reason.

In 2020 urban explorers had started to post hints on Facebook, that the castle was abandoned and some vandals broke in, leading to the owners posting sharp public messages, that it was absolutely NOT abandoned, and this foreced them to install all the surveillance cameras you saw and a big alarm system, and this has saved the castle from further vandalism.

The owners sued the nun, trying to get a court ruling that the restoration could go ahead, but they lost the case in 2022, so it remains in this awful limbo. It´s quite ironic, that Laursen Vig´s lifelong ideology of peace and understanding has led to the exact opposite: an international dispute over the future of his old castle.

[dloadthis]

Hi Leslie,
The organ you showed does not require electricity to play. It is called a pump organ. You sit down facing the keyboard and place both feet on the two foot panels and "pump" the bellows to create the sound. We have been watching your channel from the very start and are very happy you now have a huge Subscriber list. God bless you!

[dorothydean]

Glad you decided to look at this place.

[snowontheweb]

So many families and so many memories. Imagine the gatherings they would have there back in the olden days before technology. Late night feasts, people dancing in well dressed clothes and gathered all around the fireplace. Reading books near the candlelight, the sounds of laughter filling the night air and so many other memories people have shared since the 1800's. All but lost now just sitting there rotting away while Mother Nature slowly starts to take it over.

[wandabrown]

Thanks Leslie and Danny for this video. I don't have any funds to help but I do have prayers. ❤ Recently I have found out that my ancestors were from Denmark. I enjoyed learning more about the country.

[Schwe]

In september 2022 the Danish TV2 news site wrote an artikel about the castle and it has been a longlasting feud with a Russian nun and the trustee who owns the Castle today. Laursen Vig wrote in his will and testament that the nun could stay as long as she wanted, and the Danish Court has acclamed that she is the owner of the Castel.

[MarieAllen-vs]

I stumbled across the two of you while scrolling YouTube. I am watching on my TV so I can’t find the one I’m looking at, but it is titled “Abandoned 1700s Fairytale Castle“. I just wanted to say that you guys might be my favorite to walk through these homes with. Also, I like how you dress up to the time periods of the mansions. But I think my favorite is how you research the family from the house and tell stories and not just walk through the house showing rooms. Really enjoyed watching the Noble family in Portugal.

[brettster]

Hi Leslie, Great Video, The tile things you call fireplaces are Tile Stoves and are so big to store heat in the mass and release it slowly into the room over time.

[francescanguyen]

Hi Bros of Decay, I’m writing this before I actually watch your video. I absolutely love your cinematography, and the total devotion to what you do. You explain things succinctly and at the end of the video we come away with a knowledge of the history of the place and it’s inhabitants.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule ( although we know you love doing this) so that we can get an idea of what happened to the place in days gone by. Take care of yourselves, and stay blessed. Sending love and positivity from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[paulabibb]

Ceramic Heat Stove information !!!These were a wonderful innovation ! My Mother-in-laws German grandfather was a ceramic stove designer and builder in the family business in the 1800s. There are still experts in this art working in Europe today. The large mass of the fireplace was to insure even radiant heat over many hours. The stoves have many baffles inside to facilitate heating the stone, brick or ceramic mass. Because the door on this one was small, it one was probably designed to burn coal which was considered a higher class fuel. Coal could be made to radiate heat up to 24 hours after the actual burn was done. I lived in a house in Scandinavia that similar stoves .They were amazing but all designed for wood except the one in the party room (ball room) which looked about like the one in this castle. It was designed for coal but in a pinch would burn wood or even saw dust in lean times.

[gaiavenus]

Love Castles 🏰Thank you for taking us back in time and telling us these amazing stories. Since we can't all go to them, you bring them to our screen and we so appreciate you and all the team behind it, well done Lesley and the team. Keep it coming ⚔🛡⚔ Love from Canada 🍁

[marianneheimann]

The previous owner was: the philosopher Jørgen Lauersen Vig, born 31 August 1918 in Bjergager -
he died in India 28 December 2005.

a film has been made called: The Monastry

[Kuzzon]

That Grand old Lady is sitting majestically in the woods just patiently waiting on her Royal return to the world to announce that she is still alive.What breath taking beauty she will reveal once she is completed. As she is stunning now.

[wenDesigner]

I am so glad that you got permission to film. Thank you.❤

[barbkeil-burton]

Hi Lesley & Danny, 😊 this Denmark Castle was once Beautiful & 20 Owners, & I pray they can Restore It!!🙏🙏
The Architect & all the Stained Glass, the Fireplaces, the Carvings of the Furniture, Ceiling Lights.. All Gorgeous!!😍
Thanks You 2 for the Fabulous Tour of this Castle!! ❤ Have a Safe & Wonderful Evening & Trip to Your Next Journey!!❤
Love Barb from Central Illinois USA❣ ( if you want to see a Abandoned Town Cairo, Southern, Illinois )

[kristinechilds]

I have watched you since you first started your videos and have admired the beauty of the old architecture you have given life to once again, thank you.
You must know that all the castles you have shown are from a previous civilization before ours, we never built like this even today.
The late 1800’s removed our true history, and it was amazing to find. Once the Robber Barons founded themselves, things changed more less like a reset. The people before us were high tech and spiritual. Children were taught as they grew. Any time you find tall ceilings and over the top detailed architectural features, it wasn’t us.😊thanks again, you have help history for a lot of people that watch you.

[bettierusso]

This is an absolutely beautiful castle. I am a real history buff and I believe the "Library" was used as a School Room. It was quite often done for private houses and castles and the upper crust of society in these large castles and mansions for their large families. I am the descendent of George D. Widener, and the Elkins mansion Lynnwood Hall that you toured in the USA. We have an organization raising money to restore the mansion as well. For those who don't know, my Great Uncle George & cousin Harry died on the Titanic and their home was Lynnwood Hall. It is deeply troubling to me to watch so many other "explorers" Break Into any place they want without permission because they deem it "ABANDONED" when it IS NOT ABANDONED> only empty of residents at the time. I deeply appreciate that you two boys are different, well-mannered, and truthful. You ask for permission to enter the places you go and treat absolutely everything as if you owned it yourself. The respect you show and give is such a HONORABLE trait and I must say a hearty THANK YOU for all you do. You are NOT included with the hoards of dishonest trespassers that break into places....you are gentlemen, and for that, I say Thank you. As I am getting on in years, I can no longer go on extended travels and can enjoy doing so with you as my "tour guides". It is an honor to watch your videos.

[heatherklick]

Love love your determination to find castles that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to see. Thank you ever so much❤😊