Nydam Boat, Iron Age wooden boat at Gottorf Castle, Germany
The Nydam Boat is a wooden vessel from the Iron Age that was found in bogs and later brought to Gottorf Castle. It is constructed from oak planks fitted together using a technique where the boards overlap one another.
The vessel dates to the 1st century AD and was discovered in a Danish bog in 1863. Following a territorial conflict between Denmark and Germany, the boat came to the castle museum.
The boat shows early craftsmanship of North Sea peoples and served as a model for later ships in the region. The overlapping plank construction is still studied by shipbuilders today.
The boat is displayed in a special exhibition room within the castle, where it is visible from all sides. The room is climate-controlled to protect the ancient wood and keep it stable.
The boat was small enough for shallow coastal waters yet capable of traveling on open seas. This ability made it a tool for early trade routes along Europe's coasts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
