Ein weißes Gebäude mit roten Dächern steht am Rande eines ruhigen Sees, umgeben von grünen Bäumen, und der bewölkte Himmel spiegelt sich im Wasser.
Experience history

Glücksburg Castle

The history of Glücksburg Castle begins in a place that was important long before the castle was built. In 1209, Cistercian monks from Guldholm built the Rude monastery on the Langsee near Schleswig, on the site of today's castle lake.

The monastery shaped the region for almost 400 years. Known under various names such as Ruge, Ryde or Rythea, it increasingly lost its importance during the Reformation and fell into disrepair. In 1582, the site finally came into the possession of John the Younger, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, son of the then Danish King Christian III.

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Exciting details about the history of its creation

John the Younger - builder and visionary

John the Younger was born in Hadersleben in 1545, the son of King Christian III of Denmark and Dorothea. He received a comprehensive education at an early age and developed into a well-educated duke. In 1566, he took part in the Imperial Diet in Augsburg, where he made a lasting impression on Emperor Maximilian II. Politically, however, he remained a "divided lord": the estates of Schleswig and Holstein refused to recognize his rule.
John the Younger was married twice: he had 14 children with his first wife, Elisabeth of Brunswick-Grubenhagen. After her death in 1586, he married Agnes Hedwig von Anhalt, with whom he had nine more children. He produced a total of 23 offspring, many of his daughters married into important princely houses. In addition to his family, he devoted himself above all to the construction of buildings and the promotion of agriculture. He had four castles built: Glücksburg, Ahrensbök, Reinfeld and Norburg. Today, Glücksburg Castle is the only surviving building in this series and is considered an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture.

The construction of Glücksburg Castle

After acquiring the Rude monastery, John the Younger had the old monastery buildings demolished in 1582 and began building his new castle. The materials from the monastery were reused, creating a castle on historical foundations. Construction was completed in 1587 under the master builder Nikolaus Karies. The castle has been preserved unchanged to this day, allowing visitors to experience Renaissance architecture in its original form.

Death, will and inheritance

John the Younger died at Glücksburg Castle in 1622 at the age of 77. At the time of his death, 13 of his 23 children were still alive. In his will, he stipulated that his Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg should be divided up, creating four new lines: Glücksburg, Norburg, Plön and Ærø. Glücksburg Castle was given to his second youngest son, Philipp, thus founding the Glücksburg line, which remained closely linked to the history of the castle.
Today, Glücksburg Castle stands as a testament to an eventful history that combines monastic tradition, Renaissance architecture and the ducal past. Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in history and experience the fascination of a place where centuries come to life.

Detailliertes, maßstabsgetreues Modell einer Kirche aus rotem Backstein mit Turm und Kirchturm, umgeben von einer kleinen Wiese, Wegen und Miniaturbäumen, für den Innenbereich auf einem Holzsockel.
Architecture

From the monastery to the castle

The Rude monastery of the Cistercian order, founded in 1209, originally stood on the site of today's castle lake.

After acquiring the Rude monastery, John the Younger had the old monastery buildings demolished in 1582 and began building his new castle. The materials from the monastery were reused to build the castle, making it a model of recyclable construction. This means that the castle is around 400 years old, but its building materials are 800 years old. Construction was therefore completed in just 5 years in 1587 under the master builder Nikolaus Karies. The castle has been preserved unchanged to this day, allowing visitors to experience Renaissance architecture in its original form.

Ein großes weißes Schloss mit vier runden Türmen und einem zentralen Eingang, von vorne gesehen, mit einem Kopfsteinpflasterweg und braunen Hecken, die unter einem wolkenverhangenen Himmel darauf zulaufen.

A masterpiece of the Renaissance

Glücksburg Castle is considered an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture. It is a square building with sides each 30 meters long. The core building consists of three identical gabled houses built side by side - a late medieval construction method that was common among Schleswig-Holstein nobility in the 16th century. Four identical octagonal towers with a diameter of seven meters rise at the corners.


The square floor plan, the corner towers and the symmetrical room layout with the halls in the central wing are based on French models. The builder was evidently familiar with the works of French architectural theorists. As the owner, he probably had a decisive influence on the architectural form of his residence - as was customary at the time for aristocratic and princely owners in Schleswig and Holstein. A ridge turret from 1768 stands on the central roof.


Today's castle lake was artificially dammed for the construction. Unlike other moated castles, Glücksburg Castle was not built on piles, but on a 2.5 meter high granite base. The axial symmetry clearly sets Glücksburg Castle apart from other 16th century castle buildings.

Ein steinerner Gang führt zu einer kunstvollen Pfeifenorgel mit goldenen Akzenten und einem Kronleuchter, die auf einer Empore in einer Kirche mit weißen Gewölben und geschnitzten Holzgeländern steht. Ein Hof mit weißen Bänken und Topfblumen liegt vor einem weißen Gebäude mit rotem Ziegeldach, bogenförmigen Eingängen und einem Uhrenturm, umgeben von Bäumen unter blauem Himmel.
Ein steinerner Gang führt zu einer kunstvollen Pfeifenorgel mit goldenen Akzenten und einem Kronleuchter, die auf einer Empore in einer Kirche mit weißen Gewölben und geschnitzten Holzgeländern steht. Ein Hof mit weißen Bänken und Topfblumen liegt vor einem weißen Gebäude mit rotem Ziegeldach, bogenförmigen Eingängen und einem Uhrenturm, umgeben von Bäumen unter blauem Himmel.

Castle complex

Glücksburg Castle has hardly been altered since the 16th century. This is why the castle with its outbuildings and gardens is a monument of high art-historical value.

As a whole ensemble, Glücksburg stands for the cultural and historical identity of Schleswig-Holstein with its German and Danish history in a special way. In the lowest vaults is the castle chapel, which was initially reserved exclusively for the ducal family and later also served as the local church. The crypt of the older Glücksburg line is also located here. A wide stone embankment leads from the castle to the large, square castle courtyard, which is still surrounded on three sides by outbuildings, including the Kavalierhaus. The courtyard lanterns originate from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen and were installed in 1859. The granite bridge over which the castle island can be reached was originally a drawbridge that crossed the old moat.

Historical overview

Schloss Glücksburg and the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg can look back on a history spanning more than 400 years. It is characterized by change, political alliances and family connections that extend far beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein. Even today, the castle embodies the history that has shaped Europe right up to the present day.

The descendants of Christian IX can be found today in almost all European royal houses - including England, Greece, Norway and Russia. Hardly any other family has had such a lasting impact on the history of the European aristocracy.

439
born 1985
Ein Mann mit blondem Haar, grauem Anzug, weißem Hemd und dunkler Krawatte steht vor einem dunklen Hintergrund und lächelt in die Kamera.

Glücksburg House today

Friedrich Ferdinand Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg is the current head of the Glücksburg family. After the death of his father, he took over the management of the Glücksburg Castle Foundation, continuing a family tradition that goes back over a hundred years.

He is committed to the preservation of the castle and its cultural and historical significance. His commitment forms the basis for passing on the castle's heritage to future generations.

1949-2023
Ein Mann mittleren Alters mit hellem Haar, der einen dunklen Anzug und eine gemusterte Krawatte trägt, gestikuliert mit seiner Hand, während er im Freien lächelt, während im Hintergrund Grünflächen zu sehen sind.

The castle as a cultural beacon

Christoph Prinz zu Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg shaped Glücksburg Castle for over four decades as Chairman of the Glücksburg Castle Foundation. He devoted himself intensively to the preservation of the castle and the promotion of art, culture and monument protection.

Under his leadership, the castle developed into a cultural beacon of Schleswig-Holstein. With his four children, Sophie (1983), Friedrich Ferdinand (1985), Constantin (1986) and Leopold (1991) from his marriage to Elisabeth Princess zur Lippe-Weissenfeld, he laid the foundations for the next generation of the family.

To the complete overview

Family tree

The House of Glücksburg today. Friedrich Ferdinand Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg is the current head of the Glücksburg family. Following the death of his father, he became Chairman of the Glücksburg Castle Foundation in 2023, continuing a family tradition that goes back over a century. He is committed to the preservation of the castle and its cultural and historical significance.

To the pedigree

Gemaltes Porträt eines Mannes mit dunklem Haar und ausgeprägten Koteletten, gekleidet in eine formelle Militäruniform mit Medaillen und dekorativen goldenen Schulterklappen, vor einem gedämpften Hintergrund

The coat of arms

In the heart shield are the coats of arms of the counties of Oldenburg - two red bars on a golden background - and Delmenhorst, which shows a golden cross on a blue background.

The main shield combines several heraldic symbols: At the top left is the axe-bearing lion of Norway, which refers to the title "Heir to Norway". It is followed by the coats of arms associated with the ducal titles for Schleswig (two blue lions on a golden background), Holstein (the so-called nettle leaf), Stormarn (the swan) and Dithmarschen (the horseman). The coat of arms thus tells the story of a dynasty whose roots and claims are anchored in many parts of Northern Europe.

Schloss-Glücksburg Castle Foundation

The Glücksburg Castle Foundation uses all of its income to preserve and maintain the historic castle ensemble, its original furnishings and the presentation of its cultural heritage to the public.

Throughout its eventful history, Glücksburg Castle has served various purposes - including as the seat of government of the Danish King Frederick VII. The family transferred the castle to a foundation in 1922, the cultural purpose of which was to ensure public participation in the castle from the very beginning.

Support and membership

The foundation relies on donations and support from third parties. It receives valuable help from the non-profit Freundeskreis Schloss Glücksburg e. V. Anyone interested can become a member and actively support the work of the foundation.
The state of Schleswig-Holstein, the European Union and the federal government have also already provided the foundation with financial support.
As a non-profit foundation, Schloss Glücksburg naturally issues a donation receipt for all support.

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