Top Attractions: Kiel & Glückstadt

 Kiel

Tel: 31 (0431-67 91 00).

Timings: 9am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm Sat.

Events: Kieler Woche (end Jun).

Located at the end of the Kieler Forde inlet, Kiel marks the beginning of the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (Kiel Canal), in service since 1895, with two giant locks. Ferries depart from Kiel for Scandinavia, and in the summer the “Kieler Woche” turns the town into a mecca for yachtsmen from around the world.

A walk along the Schweden-Kai (embankment) and surroundings will take visitors to the vast Rathaus (town hall), dating from the beginning of the 20th century, and the Nikolaikirche (church of St Nicholas) which was rebuilt after the devastation of World War II, with its baptismal font and Gothic altar. Ernst Barlach created Geistkampfer, the sculpture outside the church, which symbolizes the triumph of mind over matter. Pieces of the sculpture, which had been cut up by the National Socialists, were found and reassembled after the war.

The most interesting of Kiel’s many museums is the Schleswig-Holsteinisches

Freilichtmuseum, an open-air museum in Molfsee, 6 km (4 miles) from the centre of Kiel, where German rural architecture from the 16th– 19^th centuries is on show. Potteries, basket-making and baking are demonstrated, and the products are sold here.

Schleswig-Holsteinisches Freilicht Museum

Hamburger Landstraße 97

Tel (0431) 65 96 60

Timings: Apr–Oct: 9am–6pm daily (to 5pm Jun–Aug); Nov–Mar: 11am–4pm Sun.

 Glückstadt

Tel: 31 (04124-93 75 85)

The Danish king, Christian IV, founded this little town in 1617 and although less impressive than Hamburg, the town is worth a visit for its layout – roads radiate out from the hexagonal market square, once surrounded by fortifications. On the square stands the reconstructed 17thcentury town hall as well as the Baroque Stadtkirche (town church). In 1648, parts of the duchy of Holstein were transferred to Gluckstadt. Most of the palaces built to house the Dukes survived, for example the Palais Werner with its amazing ballroom.

The regional museum is now in Brockdorf-Palais, another palace from 1632.

Detlefsen-Museum

Tel: (04124) 93 76 30

Timings: 2–5pm Wed (to 6pm Jun–Aug), 2–6pm Thu–Sat, 2–5pm Sun