Gottorf Castle is one of the notable attractions near Schleswig in the narrator’s account, combining an imposing, moat-enclosed building with an Expressionist collection and the striking display of bog bodies from nearby Haithabu. It appears as a place where regional history and art were made tangible during family visits.

Setting and Collection

The castle is described as an impressive structure surrounded by a moat. Its Expressionist paintings provided a destination for family outings: when visitors came, the family would either make the long trip to the Nolde Museum in Seebüll or go to the castle’s collection. The account gives no further description of the paintings, but identifies the collection as a principal attraction.

The Bog Bodies

In glass cases at the castle lay the famous bog bodies found near Haithabu, described as one of the largest Viking settlements ever. The narrator recalls their black, leathery appearance, bound eyes, and, on some, still-braided fiery-red hair; they wore brooches and perforated sack-like cloaks. These preserved remains give the castle’s collection a historical dimension distinct from its paintings.

A Local Landmark

The castle’s importance is grounded in the narrator’s description of the hometown and its visitor destinations: it was one of the places the family took guests. In that role, Gottorf Castle brings together art and the region’s Viking past, with the nearby archaeological finds displayed within its walls.