Castle of the Week 2 - Schloß Glücksburg
Glucksburg is in Schleswig-Holstein, a German
state, just below the border with Denmark. The castle was built
in a lake by Nikel Karies, a master builder from nearby
Flensburg, between 1583 and 1587 for Duke Johann the Younger of
Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. It was considered really modern
architecture at the time with its French style and luxurious
living quarters and is still thought of as one of the finest
Renaissance castles in Germany.
The castle was the home of the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg until 1848 when it was devastated by the Danes during the Schleswig-Holstein uprising against Danish rule. It was refitted by King Friedrich VII of Denmark who chose it as his summer residence. Between 1853 and 1863 the Prussian army used it and in 1864 it was used as a head-quarters during the German/Danish war. King Christian IX of Denmark was the first King to live there full-time. He has been called the father-in-law of Europe, as four of his children married into the Royal houses of Sweden, England and Russia. A son and grandson became kings of Greece and Norway respectively. In more recent times Albert Speer was interrogated at the castle after the 2nd World War.
The lake was man-made some time prior to the 16th century for
fishing and the castle is built on a 2.5 metre granite base sunk
into the lake. It is almost symmetrical, with four corner towers
and sides made up of 3 tall house-like buildings. Until the 19th
century, the towers were open with crenellated tops; the slate
roofs were added during the rebuilding. It is surrounded on three
sides by water, with a causeway connecting it to the shore. The
chapel is one of the earliest Protestant churches in
Schleswig-Holstein and, unusually, has the pulpit over the altar.
Above the entrance gate is a tablet with the Duke’s motto
inscribed on it - Gott gebe Glück mit Frieden (God grant
happiness with peace).
Nowadays it is open to the public, housing a museum and hosting cultural events and exhibitions. There is a restaurant in the cellar.
Written by GillB* . Photo courtesy of Castles of the World
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