Museum für Archäologie Schloss Gottorf

About the museum

The roots of the museum go back to 1835/36, when the Museum Vaterländischer Alterthümer (Museum of Homeland Antiquities) was founded in Kiel. It changed its name and location several times and, from 1873, was systematically expanded in close connection with the University of Kiel.

In 1950, the archaeological collection moved to the Museumsinsel in Schleswig together with the Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte (state museum of art and cultural history). Since 1999, both museums have belonged to the Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf.

Over roughly 190 years, more than ten million finds from 80,000 years of human history have come together, mostly from excavations in Schleswig-Holstein. Much of the permanent exhibition was housed in the palace, which has been closed for renovation and modernization since August 31, 2025.

The 23-meter-long Nydam boat from the Germanic period is still on view in its own hall next to the palace. The rowing ship, discovered in 1863 in the Nydam Moor near Sønderborg, came to the Museumsinsel in 1947 after a long odyssey. The exhibition also covers other ship finds, Iron Age shipbuilding, and the boat's significance in German-Danish relations.

Highlights

• Nydam boat: 23-meter-long Germanic rowing ship
• Iron Age ship finds, weapons, and jewelry from the Nydam Moor
• More than ten million archaeological finds in the collection
• Gottorf bog bodies currently on loan to the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark
• Link to the Wikinger Museum Haithabu (Viking Museum)

Permanent exhibition

• Das Nydamboot – Dedicated exhibition on the 23-meter-long Germanic rowing ship from the Nydam Moor, with further ship parts, weapons, and jewelry, as well as explanations of Iron Age shipbuilding and the find's history.

Founded

1835

Operated by

Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen

Admission & discounts

The price listed is the day ticket for the Nydam boat exhibition. With a Gottorf ticket, admission to the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark is free, where the Gottorf bog bodies are currently on display.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Information in Leichte Sprache (easy-read German) and initial explanations in German Sign Language (Deutsche Gebärdensprache) are on the website. Questions about accessibility are answered by the visitor service (tel. 04621 813222).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Own programs for children, young people, and families, such as holiday activities like the treasure hunt with the palace dragon Fiete in the Nydamhalle, as well as children's birthday parties. Children up to and including age 6 enter free.

Getting there & parking

A directions sketch and site plan of the Museumsinsel are available as PDFs at schloss-gottorf.de.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Schlosscafé in the palace cellar (Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00), run by the Schleswiger Werkstätten, with coffee, cold drinks, cake, and snacks. Museum shop, also online.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit