# Ekensholm Castle

- **Country:** Sweden
- **Condition:** Private residence
- **Year Built:** 1820s
- **Location Text:** Södermanland

Ekensholm Castle, known locally as Ekensholms Slott, is a historic manor house situated in Flen Municipality within Södermanland County, Sweden. Positioned on the northern shore of Lake Dunkern near the small communities of Dunker and Hässelby, the estate lies within Dunker Parish. The current structure was completed in 1827, commissioned by Baron Knut Kurck, a Swedish lieutenant and politician. While the architectural style is not explicitly detailed in available records, the building serves as a prominent example of a Swedish manor from the early nineteenth century.

The site holds notable historical significance due to its association with Baron Kurck, who was briefly suspected of and arrested for involvement in the 1792 assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden. In modern times, the castle has gained international attention as the private residence of Count Archibald Douglas and his wife, Archduchess Walburga of Austria. This connection links the Swedish estate directly to the House of Habsburg. Beyond its role as a noble residence, the manor has contributed to national traditions; between 2007 and 2008, an equestrian trainer at the property prepared a horse named Salut for service with the Swedish Royal Guard.

Today, Ekensholm Castle remains a privately owned home rather than a public museum, though it maintains an online presence. Its continued occupation by the Douglas family ensures the preservation of its legacy as both a political landmark from the era of Gustav III and a living connection to European royalty. The estate stands as a quiet but historically rich fixture in the Södermanland landscape, bridging centuries of Swedish and Austrian nobility.

![Photo of Ekensholm Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Ekensholm_Slott_2017a.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekensholm_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)