HISTORY
Burg Gottorf was first mentioned under Bischof Occo around 1160. It served as a residence and fortification for the bishops from nearby Schleswig. It is the ancestral home of the Holstein-Gottorp branch of the House of Oldenburg, from which emerged in the 18th century, among other things, four Swedish kings and several Russian Tsars.
Gottorf Castle is situated on an island in the Fiord Schlei, about 40 km from the Baltic Sea. In 1268 it was taken over by Duke Erik I of Schleswig and it remained in the possession of the Dukes until 1713.
The oldest visible part is the Gothic Hall built in three stages between about 1450 and 1530. The west wing was built about 1530 by Duke Frederik (later King of Denmark and Norway Frederik I). Lavishly decorated façade in Dutch Renaissance style was considered the richest and most fashionable in Northern Europe. Even as King of Denmark Frederik preferred to reside at Gottorf Castle and rarely visited his Danish castles.
About 1700 the castle underwent a major Baroque Style renovation, which was never completed. After the Great Northern War where the Duke of Holstein-Gottorf had taken side against Denmark, the Danish King Frederik IV took over the duchies and with them also Gottorf Castle.
In the 19th century Gottorf Castle was used as a Danish barracks, and after 1864 it became a Prussian-German barracks.
During World War II, the estate was used as a displaced persons camp.
Since 1947, the palace has been renovated and restored through a series of initiatives. The restoration was considered complete in 1996. The palace is now owned by a foundation of the State of Schleswig-Holstein and houses the State Art and Cultural History Museum and the State Archeological Museum.
CURRENT SITUATION
A chequered history over the course of some 800 years lies between its first written mention and the decision to make Schloss Gottorf the home of two large State museums. Under Duke Friedrich III. (1597 - 1659), Gottorf developed and became one of North Europe’s most significant royal courts and a cultural centre. The famous Giant Gottorf Globe and a stately Baroque garden originate from this period.
Schleswig’s museum island offers an exciting excursion in Schleswig-Holstein’s history, spectacular archaeological treasures and works of art. The highlights include the castle itself, whose rooms now house the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Art and Cultural History. The Gottorf Globe, located close to the museum island, is no less worth seeing and is known as the first planetarium ever. You also should not miss the reconstructed Baroque garden which encloses it.
