Generations of inhabitants at Egeskov Castle have left an old wooden doll undisturbed in its dusty attic resting place, fearing that removing it might bring misfortune. The doll, the size of a small child, lies on a cushion in the castle’s spire, shrouded in mystery. No one knows how or why the doll ended up there, but a local legend warns that if it is ever moved, the castle will sink into the surrounding moat. As a result, the doll remains, watching over the castle from its eerie perch.
Egeskov Castle, located on the Danish island of Funen (Fyn), is one of 123 historic manor houses and castles in the region. Built in the middle of a lake, its natural moat offers a formidable defense, and the castle has remained in the same family’s hands since 1784. A mysterious legend surrounds the castle, passed down through generations, regarding a wooden doll tucked away in the attic. According to the tale, if the doll is ever removed from its cushion, the entire castle will sink into the moat on Christmas Eve, adding an air of superstition to the already storied structure.
Previous generations of Egeskov Castle residents avoided spending Christmas there, fearing the eerie legend of the wooden doll would come true. However, the current inhabitants, Count Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his family, have embraced the Danish festive tradition typically meant for elves. They leave a bowl of rice pudding for the wooden doll in the attic, believing this gesture will keep the legend at bay. The family has spent multiple Christmases at the castle with no major incidents, easing the tension surrounding the centuries-old superstition.
