Schleswig's palace sits on a small island at the western end of the Schlei and houses the Schleswig-Holstein Landesmuseen — two serious state museums under one roof. The archaeology collection contains the Thorsberg finds, an extraordinary cache of Iron Age objects including preserved weapons, textiles, and the only complete Roman cavalry helmet found north of the Alps. The art and cultural history museum covers regional art from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Budget at least two hours.
Schloss Gottorf
Island palace housing two major state museums with Iron Age finds
A story
The Gottorf Globe, built around 1664 for Duke Frederick III, was one of the wonders of the 17th-century world — a hollow sphere nearly four metres across that visitors could sit inside while it rotated, showing the night sky on the inner surface. The original was seized by Russian forces in 1713 and still sits in the Kunstkamera in St. Petersburg. The replica on display here was built in 2005.