Glücksburg Castle, Renaissance water castle in Glücksburg, Germany
Glücksburg Castle is a Renaissance water castle built on an artificial island with four corner towers and white walls that reflect in the surrounding water. The structure spans three stories and displays typical Renaissance architectural features with regular proportions and symmetrical design.
Duke Hans the Younger built this castle as a residence between 1583 and 1587 on the site of the dissolved Ryd Abbey near Flensburg Fjord. The structure marked the shift from medieval to modern fortification architecture in the region.
The castle houses a collection of furniture, paintings, and objects from Danish and German noble families, showing how residents lived across centuries.
The castle is open to visitors through guided tours, and you can arrange special events in the chapel or stay overnight in holiday apartments within the castle. When planning a visit, keep in mind that its water location means entry is possible only by causeway or bridge.
The castle's builders reused stones from the demolished Ryd Abbey, so medieval elements are woven into the Renaissance architecture. This blend of two historical periods makes the building a physical record of local history.
Location: Glücksburg
Inception: 1583
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
Address: Schloss, 24960 Glücksburg
Email: info@schloss-gluecksburg.de
Website: https://schloss-gluecksburg.de
GPS coordinates: 54.83167,9.54361
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:49
Schleswig-Holstein combines historic structures with varied natural landscapes between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The region encompasses castles such as Glücksburg and Plön, medieval monasteries including Cismar and Nütschau, and museums spanning from Viking times to maritime history. Visitors find the Hedeby Viking Museum, Gottorf Castle in Schleswig, and the historic Ratzeburg Cathedral. The natural areas extend from beaches at Pelzerhaken and Rosenfelder Strand to the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park and moorland at Kaltenhofer Moor. The Geltinger Birk Nature Reserve and wildlife parks at Eekholt and Arche Warder display native flora and fauna. The Kiel Canal, lighthouses at Westerhever and Amrum, and the Multimar Wattforum in Tönning document the importance of the coastal region.
Ryd Abbey
5 m
Leuchtturm Schausende
3.9 km
Twedter Feld
4.5 km
Menke-Planetarium
1.3 km
Erlkron
1.6 km
FFH Gebiet Blixmoor
4.4 km
Schwennau
1.7 km
Großsteingräber bei Glücksburg
2 km
Munkbrarup Church
3.5 km
Auferstehungskirche (Glücksburg)
431 m
Pugumer See und Umgebung
2.8 km
Mühlenbek
3.4 km
Cäcilienschlucht
4.6 km
St. Laurentius
1.4 km
Balm
2.7 km
Munkbrarupau- und Schwennautal
1.2 km
Munkbrarup Mill
3.3 km
Lyksborg danske kirke
1.1 km
Großsteingrab Bockholm
2.9 km
Kronen-Apotheke
520 m
Munkbrarup Kirchhof
3.5 km
Landschaftsteil Fördeufer Mürwik-Solitüde
4.6 km
Klabautermann
4.5 km
Ehemalige Schlossbrücke (Damm) mit Geländer
139 m
Brücke zum Vorhof mit Geländer
77 m
Am Schlosspark 2a
340 m
Poststraße 4 - 4a
4.4 km
Intermar
1.3 kmReviews
Real people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
The site is very pretty as well as the park and the adjacent lake. The castle is a museum. The entire courtyard and the facades of the castle would require more maintenance.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes