12 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Schleswig-Holstein

This exquisite white castle is the former home to noble families. Open to the public since 1955, visitors have an unparalleled experience and are able to get up close to the history of the castle. It was set amongst extensive grassy parks, and although the moat is now filled, that doesn't stop the surrounding area from impressive. The castle is even the perfect place for your event and has the facilities for weddings, parties and birthdays.

Burgtor is a magnificent introduction to the architectural heritage of Luebeck. It is a great place to start a walking tour of the well-preserved Gothic landmarks in the UNESCO-protected Luebeck Old Town. Admire the intimidating presence of Burgtor, discover its artistic features and browse exhibits that explain its historical importance.

The Adventure Center Naturgewalten Sylt is an exhibition and event center in List on Sylt, which aims to represent and convey the diversity, beauty, and dynamism of the seas and coasts as well as the experience of the forces of nature. There is an exhibition on 1500 square meters that introduces various adventure areas of the Wadden Sea . In addition, the exhibition provides information on weather events, coastal protection and renewable energies.

Glücksburg Castle is one of the most important castles in North Germany - rested on the water, it is built on an old monastery and once housed important dukes and nobility. The castle is now a museum and is no longer inhabited by the ducal family. It is owned by a foundation. The original furnishing means that visitors get a real experience of the castle as it was once used.

Gottorf Castle was built by the Bishop of Schleswig on an island at the end of the Schlei Fiord just outside the city of Schleswig. In 1268 it was taken over by Duke Erik I of Schleswig and it remained in the possession of the Dukes until 1713. One of the oldest iconic buildings in this area which is beautifully carved and also maintaining its beauty today. It is situated on an island in the Schlei, about 40 km from the Baltic Sea.

The Heiligen-Geist-Hospital am Koberg in Lübeck, completed in 1286, is one of the oldest existing social institutions in the world and one of the most important buildings in the city. It is in the tradition of the Holy Spirit hospitals based on the model of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome. The hospitals were looked after by the brothers from the Order of the Holy Spirit.

The Hummerbuden are former sheds and workshops of the fishermen on the North Sea island of Helgoland. After the destruction of World War II and the resettlement of Heligoland in 1952, the lobster booths were designed by the Hamburg architect Georg Wellhausen. The color scheme came from Johannes Ufer. Gable profiles and wooden cladding are typical of his lobster booths. Before the Second World War, lobster scales were inconsistent scales in different places.

The Multimar Wattforum in Tönning is the largest information center for the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. It was opened in 1999 and expanded for the first time in January 2003. Its purpose is to inform the visitors of the national park about life in the Wadden Sea in different areas. In addition, the aquariums of the Wattforum - 11 large and 17 special aquariums with a total volume of 150 m³ - serve as a breeding site for threatened creatures.

The Museum Holstentor is a metropolis gate marking off the western boundary of the old center of the Hanseatic town of Lübeck. It was built in 1464, the Brick Gothic construction is one of the relics of Lubeck's medieval city fortifications and considered one of final city gates, the opposite being the Citadel Gate. Known for its -spherical towers and arched front, it's far regarded today as a image of the city.

Plön Castle is one of the largest castles in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein and the only one located on a hill. It was once a military academy and a boarding school, now it is home to an opticians training centre. Visitors can explore the huge grounds surrounding the castle, admire the many lakes of the region, explore the nearby city, or even take a castle tour and find out about its use today and its historical role.

The Lübecker Salzspeicher are six historical buildings, wholly made of brick, that used to function as salt storehouses from 1579 on. Salt was mined around Lüneburg and brought to Lübeck over the Stecknitz Canal. From there it was shipped around the Baltic region. This trade was one of the reasons why Lübeck was so influential in the Hanseatic League.

A beautiful majestic castle which was perched at a height of some 400 m above the delightful countryside, south of the city of Eisenach in Thuringia in central Germany. Its varied aspect and the sense of harmony it evokes are only two of its attractions for visitors. It was the first German castle to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, described as an exemplary hilltop castle of the feudal period in central Europe, despite alterations and additions made in later centuries.