Gottorf Castle, Renaissance castle and museum complex in Schleswig, Germany.

Gottorf Castle is a castle and museum complex in Schleswig, Germany, made up of four uneven wings built around a central courtyard. Inside, its rooms and galleries hold collections of medieval and Renaissance art alongside archaeological finds from the surrounding region.

The castle was founded in the 12th century as a bishop's residence and gradually expanded into a seat of power for the Holstein-Gottorp ruling family. At the start of the 18th century, the family lost their hold on the region and the building took on a different role.

The rooms display religious sculptures and artworks collected over centuries, showing how art and craftsmanship changed across different periods in this region. These pieces sit within the castle's own historic spaces, making the setting part of the experience.

The complex is well signposted and easy to walk through without prior preparation. Allow at least half a day if you want to see the main collections and walk around the outer grounds.

The castle holds the Gottorf Globe, a hollow sphere from the 17th century large enough for people to sit inside and watch a representation of the night sky. It stands as one of the earliest mechanical attempts to show how the heavens move.

• Location: Schleswig
• Address: Schloßinsel 1, 24837 Schleswig
• Phone: [phone]
• Website: https://schloss-gottorf.de
• GPS coordinates: 54.51168,9.54109
• Latest update: March 3, 2026 08:12