Wooden guard: the mystery of the mysterious doll that has been protecting the ancient castle from destruction for centuries (7 photos)

In the dusty rafters beneath the spire of Egeskov Castle lies a wooden doll whose fate is inextricably linked to the fate of the castle itself.





No one knows who the doll belonged to or how it ended up in the attic of the majestic 16th-century building. The child-sized figurine, covered in a layer of dust, lies on a pillow as if immersed in eternal sleep.



Egeskov Castle

Egeskov is one of 123 palaces and estates on the Danish island of Funen. Built in the middle of a lake, which serves as its protective moat, the castle has belonged to the same family since 1784. A legend has been passed down from generation to generation: if the doll is removed from her pillow, the castle will sink into the lake on Christmas Eve.





The previous owners were afraid to spend Christmas here, fearing that the prophecy would come true. The current owner, Count Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, and his family take a different approach to tradition. They follow a Danish custom usually reserved for brownies, and leave the wooden guardian a bowl of rice pudding. The castle has stood unscathed for many Christmases now, and the doll remains in its place.



Local historians put forward three theories about the origin of this mysterious toy. It could be a memory of a deceased child of the count's family, a talisman against the Great Flood of 1634, or a connection with the alchemist-architect who built the castle. Dendrologists have established that the doll was made of apple wood around 1580. It is curious that in Danish folklore, the apple tree was considered a bridge between worlds.



Whether this legend is true or not, there is definitely something mystical about it. In the attic, there is a feeling that the atmosphere changes almost physically. It is a place that excites the imagination, and a wonderful example of how much magic is hidden in ancient walls.