- Gottorp
Gottorp (Low German and Danish) or Gottorf (German) is a
palace and estate in the city of Schleswig in the German state ofSchleswig-Holstein . It is the ancestral home of theHolstein-Gottorp branch of theHouse of Oldenburg , a royal dynasty, and is a museum today. It is situated on an island in thefirth ofSchlei , about 40 km from theBaltic 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 ofSchleswig acquired it through a purchase in 1268, and in 1340 it was transferred to the Count ofHolstein atRendsburg of the House of Schauenburg. The manor later, through maternal inheritance, became the possession ofChristian 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, made it his primary residence. In 1544 the duchies of
Schleswig andHolstein were divided in three parts; Frederick's third son Adolf received one of these parts and made his residence at Gottorp. This state became known as the Duchy ofSchleswig-Holstein-Gottorp .The estate became a European cultural center in the reign of
Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp , (1597–1659). The castle was built by the famous Swedish architectNicodemus 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 adisplaced 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.
External links
* [http://www.schloss-gottorf.de/ Foundation for state museums for Schleswig-Holstein at Gottorf Palace]
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