On a quiet residential street near Aalborg, Denmark, one house looks as though it has wandered out of another century. There are towers where neighbours have garages, battlements where most homes have rooflines and a moat surrounding what was once an entirely ordinary suburban property. For Peter Hvid, what began as a garden wall has evolved over two decades into Casa Del Renaissance, a homemade medieval fantasy complete with a courtyard, drawbridge and towering stonework.
From garden wall to castle
According to an online report by Love Property, Hvid moved into the 1959-built detached house in 2005. A year later, after securing the necessary planning permission, he began building a wall around the garden. His childhood fascination with knights and castles provided the inspiration, while an interest in building gradually turned a simple boundary wall into something far more ambitious.The first tower appeared when Hvid wanted a sheltered outdoor space where people could sit in the shade. Another tower followed, then another. What started as a series of additions eventually became a complete architectural transformation, adds the report.If we go by the report, Hvid carried out roughly 90 per cent of the construction himself, despite having no formal trade or building qualification. Plumbing and electrical work required professionals, but much of the masonry, carpentry and decorative work became his own responsibility.
A moat that kept growing
The scale of the project changed dramatically over the years. Hvid’s original moat was only one metre wide and 10 metres long. Today, the water-filled trench is around four metres wide and extends around much of the property.Inside, the suburban house has been reshaped to create the atmosphere of a Renaissance fortress. The original 220-square-metre home has been reduced to about 180 square metres in places, largely because Hvid removed sections of the upper floor to create soaring six-metre-high ceilings, adds the report.The result includes a grand hall, a statement staircase, heavy wooden doors with iron fittings, a large candelabra and richly detailed wood panelling. A six-and-a-half-metre dining table in the knights’ hall was built by Hvid after he failed to find one large enough to match his vision.
Medieval details meet modern life
The Love Property report also states that despite the medieval appearance, Casa Del Renaissance remains a thoroughly modern home. Central heating, electricity and a contemporary bathroom provide the conveniences expected of a 21st-century residence, while fireplaces, armour, heraldic motifs and traditional materials create the illusion of stepping several centuries into the past.Hvid is particularly interested in traditional craftsmanship and has incorporated salvaged and repurposed materials wherever possible. Even small details, including traditionally forged iron nails, have become part of the home’s carefully constructed character, explains the report from August 2026.The project has never followed a fixed blueprint. New coats of arms, fittings and architectural details continue to appear as Hvid discovers materials or develops new ideas, the report also explains.
From local curiosity to attraction
In its early years, the unusual construction attracted plenty of attention in Gistrup. What may once have seemed like an eccentric suburban experiment has since become a local landmark, drawing visitors from beyond the town.As per the report, Hvid opens the property to the public once a year for an open castle event. The most recent gathering attracted around 600 visitors, while demand for tours has at times been so high that he has had to temporarily limit access.The property also hosts an annual Halloween event for local children. What began as a one-person production has grown into an elaborate community occasion involving 16 actors, with local businesses helping provide sweets and treats, informs the online report.
A castle that may never be finished
After nearly 20 years of construction, Casa Del Renaissance remains a work in progress. Hvid has repeatedly reached the point where he believes the latest tower or addition will be the final one, only to imagine another improvement.The latest idea includes a royal guard, with friends already acquiring matching uniforms and helmets for appearances during feasts and public events.For Hvid, the appeal is ultimately less about creating a perfect historical replica than building a private fairytale world. After working as a caseworker, he returns home to a place where medieval feasts, knights and castle towers replace the routines of ordinary suburbia. And with his partner Maria considering the property her future summer palace, Casa Del Renaissance may yet gain its queen.Images Courtesy: Love Property
