Gottorp

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Gottorp in 2006

Gottorp in 1864

Gottorp or Gottorf (Danish: Gottorp) is a palace and estate in the city of Schleswig in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It is the ancestral home of a remarkable branch of the royal dynasty within the House of Oldenburg and is a museum today. It is situated on an island on the firth of Schlei, about 40 km from the Baltic Sea.

It was first settled as an estate in 1161 as the residence of Bishop Occo of Schleswig when his former residence was destroyed. The Danish Duke of Schleswig acquired it through a purchase in 1268, and in 1340 it was transferred to the Holsteiner Count of Rendsborg of the House of Schauenburg. The manor later, through maternal inheritance, became the possession of Christian I of Denmark, the first Danish monarch from the House of Oldenburg, in 1459.

Both the island and the structure were extended through the years, and particularly during the 16th century. Frederick I, younger son of Christian I, at that time the Duke of Gottorp, made it his primary residence and became ancestor of two lines, (1) the monarchs of Denmark and (2) the dukes of Gottorp. The dukes of Gottorp took over the estate, which became a European cultural center in the reign of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, (1597–1659).

The castle was build by the famous Swedish architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger (1697-1703).

After the ducal lineage of Gottorp were forced to move out in 1702, the palace, now occupied by the Danish, fell into disuse and disrepair in 1713 under the reign of Frederick IV of Denmark. Pieces of furniture, art and other interior were gradually moved out of the palace, and the structures were used both as Danish and Prussian barracks in the 19th century.

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 efforts. 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.