Schleswig-Holstein
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

Although a large mansion has stood here since the 14th century, what we see today was built in 1585 by Peter Rantzau, who was envoy of the King of Denmark. The Renaissance style mansion, surrounded by a moat, was built on an island in an artificial lake, which was only ever intended for artistic purposes not defence. A private residence until 1932, the castle subsequently served as a home for refugees and a vocational training school. As a museum, it has been open to the public since 1955. Furniture, art, crystal chandeliers and objects that attest to a luxurious lifestyle introduce visitors to an 18th century aristocratic culture.

In the north of Sylt is one of the few surviving signs of World War II on the island, the old panzerstrasse, or tank road. Some 10,000 soldiers were stationed on the island during WWII, and supplies and munitions to their bases required roads – concrete roads were quick and easy to create. Hidden in the dunes on either side of the road are the remains of bunkers. Walking in the dunes in prohibited, as this is a protected nature area. The panzerstrasse is part of a popular bicycle route from Westerland to the northern tip of the island.

About 8 km south of Flensburg is Arnkiel archaeological park, a two-hectare space with six funerary monuments. Including one large, 70 m long reconstructed ‘Hünenbett’, or ‘long bed’ burial chamber. The megalithic structures at Arnkiel-Park date to the Neolithic period between 4200 – 1700 BC. An onsite information centre provides extensive information in different languages about the archaeology of the site and the area.

On the edge of the small town of Ladelund is a stone memorial to B24 Liberator nicknamed ‘Daisy Mae’. The Allied bomber, based at North Pickenham in England, took part in a mission to attack a gas plant in Kiel on 4 August 1944. While over Kiel it was hit by German anti aircraft fire. After jettisoning the ammunition, the pilot attempted to fly back to base, but the 10-man American crew were forced to evacuate the plane over Ladelund. In 2010 the remains of the aircraft were discovered by a local history enthusiast On 10 August 2025 the memorial stone was unveiled in the presence of two of the crew’s descendants.

Construction on Schloss Vor Husum began in 1577 on the site of a Franciscan monastery. It was built for Adolf I, the first Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf. At this time the castle was situated just beyond the town gate, hence its name. Just as this part of Schleswig-Holstein has changed hands between the Germans and the Danes, so too the castle has changed its role, from a ducal house to a royal residence for the Danish royal family. In May the park that surrounds the castle is a popular local attraction for the crocus blooms.

Danevirke is a historic wall built across part of the Jutland peninsular, from Schleswig in the east to near Hollingstedt in the west. The oldest parts of the wall were built between 450 and 500 AD. From then, the fortification was modified and extended by many, including Danish Viking Kings, and Danes during the First and Second Schleswig Wars (1848 and 1864). Barriers were earthworks, timber palisades, trenches, stone walls and even a sea-barrier on the Schlei, incorporating natural barriers such as bodies of water. Many parts and features of the wall, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are visible today.

In 2013 a memorial stone was placed at Grönsfurt – the historic site of a ford across the Eider River. The river formed the border between an Danish kingdom and the Frankish Empire. It was here around 811 and 813 that negotiators for the Frankish King Charlemagne and the Viking King Hemming met. There is no information at the location, which lies on a footpath between the Eider River and a sewage treatment plant for the town of Fockbeck. To reach the stone, follow Grönsfurther Weg from the south east of the town. Nearby are the barely visible remains of a small Viking ring fort.

A rectangular megalithic tomb now on the coastline near the village of Keitum, having been relocated here in 1954 when the airport was developed. Although discovered in 1925, during the digging of a gravel pit, it was not excavated until 1936. Ceramic vessels and stone axes were recovered by archaeologists. This extended dolmen, originally 32m long, is thought to have been associated with the Neolithic Funnelbeaker culture, dating to around 3000 BC.

Some 2,000 prisoners from 12 different countries were held at a concentration camp just outside the village of Ladelund in the very north of Schleswig-Holstein. The prisoners were brought here in November 1944 to dig an anti-tank trench along the German-Danish border. During the six weeks the camp was open, 300 people died and are buried in the village cemetery. A documentation centre has been set up near the mass graves, from where you can take a short walk to see an excavated section of the trench, and the site of the camp.

All that remains today is a circular rampart between 8 and 10 m high, with a diameter of about 95 m. The castle was surrounded by a moat, and protected by marshland to the north. Excavations in 1950 produced Neolithic, Iron Age and 10/11th century artefacts. Although dating of these early ring-wall castles is debated, it is thought the castle was built and occupied from the 10th century. Remains of sod-walled houses were also found inside the circle, but these are not visible to visitors today.

At the entrance to Langenberger Forest just outside of Leck is a large rock, with the inscription: “Human dignity is inviolable. In memory of the victims of forced labour in the Langenberger Forest Camp 1943 – 1945.” It was laid on 8 May 2002.  The memorial is set between a two of a number of ditches, which were dug by inmates held at the nearby prisoner of war camp. These trenches were anti-tank ditches, thought to have been dug sometime in the first half of 1944 in anticipation of a land attack by the Allies. Nothing remains of the prisoner of war camp today.

Dominating the skyline at the entrance to the Kiel fjord is a 72-metre high memorial constructed to honour the WWI war dead of the Imperial German Navy. In 1954 it became a memorial for all seafaring nations, promoting peaceful seafaring of all our seas. The tower has an observation deck, open to the public, as well as a memorial hall and an exhibition hall that houses a variety of models of ships and other naval/shipping displays.

In the middle of the town of Oldenburg in Holstein stands a typical Slavic burg – fort or castle. The first phase of this structure was built towards the end of the 7th century AD, making this the oldest Slavic castle in Germany. And one of the most important archaeological sites in Schleswig-Holstein. Even in the 11th century it was known as the ‘old castle’, hence the origins of the name of the town. Excavations in the 1970s and the 1980s revealed the site was a princely court in the 9th and 10th centuries, with an episcopal church and pagan sanctuary.

In a park on the north easter edge of the town of Albersdorf is a reconstructed dolmen, thought to be from the Funnelbeaker culture. Situated on a low rise, the burial chamber measures 2.4 × 1.2 m internally, with a single capstone. A passage measuring 1.1 m long and 0.55 m wide leads to the chamber. Two flat stones were found nearby, an these may have been further capstones for the chamber and passage. The German prehistorian Karl Kersten examined the site in 1946, and is responsible for the restoration.

According to local legend the Danish King Canute the Great paid for the church to be built, on a site thought to have been a Sanctuary to Odin. Tests carried out on the wood in the rafters indicate a date of 1216 – making this the oldest church in Schleswig-Holstein. The earliest reliable record of this Romanesque style church is 1240. The tower was built in 1450. The cemetery, final resting place of the German politician Dr Gerhard Schröder, is older than the church. Popular among islanders and visitors alike are the weekly organ concerts.

Across the street from the Naval Memorial tower is a Type VIIC/41 submarine, the U-995. Built in Hamburg and commissioned in 1943, the sub was used in the Norwegian Sea against convoys. At the end of the war, the sub was stricken in Trondheim, handed to the British and later transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy. In 1971 the ship was transported to Laboe to become a technical museum. Still in excellent condition, over 250,000 visitors tour the submarine each year.

This ring-shaped rampart is the last of three known similar structures on Sylt, with another on Föhr island.  The rampart has a diameter of around 120 m and stands about 8 m high. Excavations have revealed ceramic fragments that suggest it was built by Germanic communities around 2000 years ago. The function is not clear, but it is thought that it was originally a religious cult site for the Germanic inhabitants of the island. It was in use again between the 8th and 10th centuries AD, when it was likely used for protection against the Vikings. It can be found on Tinnum Meadows, a popular area for walkers. As the area is marshy, it is partly surrounded be a wooden walkway.

Along a peaceful coastal path, looking out onto the Wattenmeer is a large boulder dedicated to the fallen and missing of both World Wars. German soldiers were stationed on the island in both WWI and WWII. The island was never drawn into the theatre of war during the first war. Many bunkers and batteries were built in the dunes along the west coast during the Second World War, in anticipation of an allied attack here. The few bombing raids by the British did not do much damage.