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Schackenborg Castle

Five kilometres west of Tønder lies the idyllic village of Møgeltønder which dates back to ancient times. Møgeltønder means Great Tønder. And ‘great’ was an accurate description of it when the nearby town of Tønder was founded. But the new town soon outgrew Møgeltønder. Its history, however, has been retained in the name. This little village can boast one of the most beautiful high-streets in Northern Europe built in the early 18th century and also Møgeltønderhus, now known as Schackenborg Castle.

Møgeltønderhus was the mansion for the Bishops of Ribe. It served as protection against the influx of Frisian culture in the south, and guarded the waterway via Vidå to Tønder. The building was transferred to the King after the Reformation, and in 1661 the King made over the Castle to General Hans Schack as a gesture of gratitude for his service in the war against the Swedes. For 11 generations the Castle belonged to the Schack family before reverting to the Royal Family in 1978.

In 1993 Schackenborg and its estate was transferred to HRH Prince Joachim, who has pursued agricultural studies and a career in Denmark and abroad.

TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra settled at Schackenborg in 1995, and for their wedding a national collection was made, known as the “Nation’s Gift”. The amount raised was almost DKK 13 million, and this is gradually being spent on an ongoing programme of restoration of the Castle.

The Castle and gardens are not open to the public. However, throughout the summer period there are guided tours of the garden in front of the Castle.

For more information please telephone Tønder Tourist Information on +45 74 72 12 20