Engsö Castle outside Västerås – history, castle environment and ghost stories

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Engsö Castle is located on the island of Ängsö in Lake Mälaren, between Västerås and Enköping. Here medieval walls, magnificent castle environments and a long tradition of ghost stories meet. The castle is a destination for those who like history, but also for those who want to walk among old trees and peek at the medieval church next door.

We visited Engsö during an autumn weekend in Västerås. Then the castle environment and the stories about its former inhabitants became part of the excursion. Because there is of course more than old buildings to discover here. What about a mythical gold chain and a dog that is said to wander through the dining room?

Our autumn visit to Engsö Castle

When we were in Västerås with the camper van, we took the opportunity to take a trip to Engsö Castle. We visited the place at the end of October, and in our original report, ghost stories were given a lot of space. Halloween was just around the corner!

But even without ghost stories, there is plenty to point your camera at. The castle, the avenue, the large trees and the church together form a beautiful historical setting. Our photos from the visit mainly show the surroundings outdoors. If you also want to see the castle's rooms and collections, you need to plan your visit after opening hours.

Engsö Castle – from defensive fortress to 18th-century castle

Engsö, also spelled Ängsö, has a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. The place is mentioned in a royal charter from the end of the 12th century, but that doesn't mean that the current castle building is that old.

During the 1480s, a stone house was built that served as a defensive fortress. Parts of the building still remain in the lower parts of the castle. During the 17th century, the castle was expanded, and in the 1740s it was given its current appearance through renovations by the architect Carl Hårleman.

Two families recur in Engsö's history: Sparre and Piper. Today the castle building is used as a museum, with historical room furnishings and a large portrait collection.

Visit the castle museum

During the palace's opening hours, you can visit the museum and look around on your own. Visitors will receive an information folder and a list of the paintings in the collection.

Guided tours are also offered, including for pre-booked groups. For those who want to know more about the people behind the portraits and the stories behind the rooms, a tour can be a good option.

There is a café and castle store next to the visit. Check current opening hours and tours at Engsö Events before you go, as the business is seasonal.

Ängsö Church – medieval neighbor to the castle

Right next to the castle is Ängsö Church, which was built around 1340 on the initiative of Nils Abjörnsson, the then lord of Ängsö.

The church was built of brick and has preserved medieval vaults and frescoes. In the 18th century, the Piperska tomb choir and the church tower were added. The church is therefore worth noting for its own history and architecture. The castle and the church have different opening hours, so check both if you want to visit them inside.

The Meadow Search Chain and the Dice Game with the Devil

The Engsö Chain is a real object at the castle, but the story of how it ended up there belongs to the realm of legend.

According to the story, Johan Sigismund Sparre wanted to play dice and was visited by a mysterious stranger. Sparre won a gold chain, but at the same time received a warning: if the chain left Engsö, the castle would burn down.

The stranger is said to have been the devil himself. The chain still exists, and the story has become part of the castle's tradition of mystery and ghost stories.

Three ghost stories from Engsö Castle

The stories below are legends that have been retold about the castle and its surroundings. They come in different versions and should be read as ghost stories.

Anders Luxemburg and the horse Brandklipparen

Anders Luxemburg is associated in the stories with Charles XII and the king's horse Brandklipparen. They are said to have come to Engsö, where, according to legend, the horse was frightened one night, broke free and ran into a wall.

Anders is still said to appear as a grey-clad figure in the castle and its grounds. The Fire Cutter also appears in the ghost stories.

Brita Bååt and the Christmas Mass of the Dead

According to legend, Brita Bååt woke up on Christmas night and saw lights in the church. She thought she was about to miss the Christmas Eve and rushed there.

But the church was holding a mass for the dead. Two ghosts attacked her, and she managed to escape back to the castle. In the story, she died shortly afterwards. A sword and a stone in the cemetery wall are associated with the legend.

The Ghost Dog Cottilion

Not all castle ghosts are human. The dog Cottilion, who belonged to Sophie Piper, is said to have died during a visit to Engsö.

According to the story, the sound of the dog's claws can still be heard on the floor of the main dining room, as if it was wandering around looking for its mistress.

Combine a visit to the castle with nature on Ängsö

If you want to take a longer excursion, you can combine the castle with a walk in Ängsö Nature Reserve. Here you will find pastures, old crofts and several marked hiking trails through a varied cultural landscape.

The County Administrative Board describes six trails with lengths between approximately 1.5 and 8.5 kilometers. So there are options for both a shorter walk and a longer hike. We haven't walked these trails ourselves, but they can be a way to discover more of the island.

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