Schloss Kiel (Kiel Castle), Kiel

Kiel Castle is a historic castle located in the heart of Kiel, Germany. The castle dates back to the 13th century and has played an important role in the history of the city. Today, Kiel Castle houses several institutions, including the administration of Kiel University and the State Museum of Art and Cultural History. Visitors can explore the castle's beautiful gardens and courtyards, as well as its impressive architecture and historic buildings. One of the highlights of Kiel Castle is its collection of art and cultural artifacts. The State Museum of Art and Cultural History features a range of exhibits covering various aspects of German and European art and history. Overall, Kiel Castle is a must-see for any visitor to Kiel. Its beautiful architecture, historical features and cultural exhibits make it a unique and valuable resource for the local community and visitors alike.

Kiel Castle in Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein was one of the secondary residences of the Dukes of Gottorf . The castle had a varied construction history and was described in recent art history as one of the most important secular buildings in Schleswig-Holstein. The castle was largely destroyed by bombs and a subsequent fire in the Second World War . The ruins were then largely demolished and replaced by a new building. During the Second World War, all parts of the palace were badly damaged. The west wing (Rantzau building) was shortened somewhat after the war and renovated. After plans to incorporate the remaining walls into a new building were abandoned, the south wing and the east wing were demolished, except for parts of the north-western tower of the east wing. From 1961 to 1963, the architects Sprotte and Neve built a new brick east wing, which imitates the dimensions of the previous building and stands on the preserved foundation. In place of the demolished southern connecting wing, a low-rise building was built on stilts, the “Historic State Hall”.

Yes, Kiel has a castle. Kiel residents know that. Tourists often search for it in vain. But Kiel Castle has a truly spectacular history. As a widow's residence and secondary residence of the Dukes of Gottorf, it was somewhat in the shadow of events. Its existence was often threatened by decay or fire, and renovations in the 18th century changed it beyond recognition. Severely damaged in the Second World War, partly renovated in the 1960s and partly completely rebuilt, the complex was opened to the public in 1965 as the new "Kiel Castle Cultural Center". Since then, almost all of the facilities from back then have moved out, the concert hall is being renovated and the cultural and restaurant operations have been dormant for years. Now Kiel Castle is to have a new future.

After the Second World War, an idea from the 1930s to turn the castle into a "House of State Culture" was taken up again. Until spring 2002, the new building housed, among other things, the State Library and the State Office for Monument Preservation. They had to move to the converted Sartori & Berger warehouse on the fjord. The state is currently trying to sell the castle. Its future purpose is controversial. After the plan to locate a casino there failed, the main building of the castle was put up for sale to make room for a senior citizens' residence. This project has since failed too. The debate about the future of the castle continues. According to critics, it is difficult to bear if the castle should lose its central function for the state after almost 700 years, after it has been sold off like any other state property. ***PH***