^{THE FIGHT FOR GISSELFELD}

Gisselfeld’s history dates back to the 13th century.  Today’s Gisselfeld is a well-maintained castle with moat, built over 28 years from 1547 to 1575. It is one of Denmark’s most interesting and well-kept historical buildings. Gisselfeld Castle is a 26 meter-tall defence castle, built by Peder Oxe, advisor to King Frederik II, consisting of no less than 86 impressive rooms. Peder Oxe’s father, Johan, died during the “War of the Count” (Danish civil war 1534-1536) defending his neighbour’s  estate, Nielstrup. The destruction of the Oxe properties during this war was the reason that Gisselfeld was designed as such a strongly defensive castle.

Peder Oxe, had no children with his wife, Mette Rosenkrantz, and therefore no heir when she died in 1588. Gisselfeld’s new owner was Frantz Lykke, followed by his son Kaj and after that, the Danish field marshall, Hans Schack and later Adam Levin Knuth.

Gisselfeld came into the hands of King Christian V  in the late 1600’s who passed it on to his illegitimate son, by Sofie Amalie Moth, Christian Gyldenløve (Golden Lion). Christian Golden Lion drew up a special law for Gisselfeld in 1701 and 1702, known as the fundats, that for 300 years has guaranteed the eldest male heir in the family inheritance of the leading position at Gisselfeld.

Gisselfeld Castle’s several thousand square metres room many priceless cultural treasures, amongst them, Northern Europe’s largest porcelain collection.