Schloss Reinbek

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Duke Adolf of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf had the palace built between 1572 and 1576 on the grounds of a dissolved monastery. Designed in the style of the Dutch Renaissance, it was intended as a ducal pleasure palace.

Over the following centuries its use changed several times: from 1647 the palace was the seat of Danish district officials, and after 1867 it housed the Prussian district administration. It was later converted into a hotel, then used as a convalescent home, and from 1939 a Hamburg research institution moved in. Each of these phases left behind alterations and extensions that greatly changed the building's original appearance.

In 1972 the town of Reinbek and the district of Stormarn jointly acquired the property. During a restoration lasting about ten years, beginning in 1977, the Renaissance building was stripped of later additions, bringing the painted timber-beam ceilings, among other features, back into view. In 1987 the palace opened as the town's cultural center.

Today the historic rooms can be explored with an audio guide whenever no events are taking place. Changing art exhibitions, concerts, and markets shape the program, and in the attic the local history and museum association presents an exhibition on the development of Reinbek.

Highlights

• Renaissance palace of the Dukes of Gottorf from the 1570s
• Painted timber-beam ceilings in the historic rooms
• Changing art exhibitions
• Town history exhibition in the attic
• Palace park on the Mühlenteich mill pond
• Children's audio guide and palace scavenger hunt

Permanent exhibitions

• Von der Klosterzelle zur Stadt aus fünf Teilen – Town history exhibition by the Geschichts- und Museumsverein Reinbek (local history and museum association) in the palace attic, with illustrated panels and pieces from the historical collection.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stadt Reinbek

Admission & discounts

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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The official website provides no information on accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free children's audio guide and palace scavenger hunt through the palace and park; for groups, age-appropriate tours and "Museum im Schrank" (museum in a cabinet) (ages 8 and up). Children's and family concerts as well as puppet theater in the cultural program.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 5 toward Bergedorf or the A 24 (exit Reinbek).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

"Bringezu's Schlossrestaurant" in the southwest wing (Thu–Sun from midday) with a summer terrace on the Mühlenteich pond.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Eleven rooms are available for rent, including the Hofsaal and Festsaal (169 m² each), the Gartensaal with kitchenette, and several fireplace rooms – for seminars, conferences, receptions, and celebrations; AV equipment and a grand piano are available. Civil weddings are held in the Gottorfzimmer (arranged through the Reinbek registry office). Catering is provided by the palace restaurant.

Plan your visit