Ekenäs Castle

Fläret, Sweden, Sweden

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Ekenäs Castle is a striking Renaissance fortress near Fläret in Östergötland, Sweden, built between 1630-1644 by Privy Councilor Peder Banér atop 14th-century medieval foundations beside Lake Teden.

Home to the Banér family for centuries after passing through earlier owners like the Sture dynasty and Natt och Dag nobles, it features three towers, a moat, preserved 17th-century interiors, and later additions by owners including Mauritz Vellingk, whose harsh rule inspired legends of a starved boy ghost haunting the cellars.

Privately owned and restored as a museum since the 1970s, the castle hosts guided tours revealing 400 years of art and history, plus events like jousting, ghost walks, weddings, and markets amid its scenic island-like setting.