Schleswig Cathedral

Schleswig Cathedral (St. Petri-Dom) is the landmark of the town of Schleswig and one of the most important historic churches in Schleswig-Holstein. Its tall neo-Gothic tower rises above the Schlei inlet, and inside you will find the Bordesholm Altar carved by Hans Brüggemann, a masterpiece of late Gothic woodcarving. The cathedral also has a medieval cloister with painted vaults and a ducal crypt. It describes itself as an "open cathedral" for all visitors.

Where it is and how to get there

Schleswig lies on the Schlei, an inlet of the Baltic Sea in northern Germany, roughly between Hamburg and the Danish border. The cathedral stands at Norderdomstraße 4, and its website offers a navigation map. Check Deutsche Bahn for current train connections.

Why it matters

The first written mention of the church dates from 1134, when it was a Romanesque basilica. Between 1200 and 1408 it was enlarged into a late Gothic hall church. The neo-Gothic west tower was built from 1888 to 1894, financed by French reparations after the Franco-Prussian War. The Brüggemann altar, carved between 1514 and 1521, is 12.60 meters tall and shows 392 figures. The cathedral also holds the burial vault of the Gottorf dukes and the Renaissance tomb of King Frederick I.

What to see

• The Brüggemann (Bordesholm) Altar in the high choir
• The Schwahl cloister of 1310 to 1320, with medieval wall paintings
• The ducal crypt of the Gottorf dukes
• The tower, which you can climb, with an exhibition on its construction and bells

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

The cathedral is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May to September and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from October to April, but check service times. The official site does not list an admission fee for the cathedral. The tower climb costs EUR 2 (reduced EUR 1) and is possible until half an hour before closing. From May to October a free 20 minute short tour of the altar takes place daily except Sundays at noon. Tours are in German, so ask if you need English.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you like medieval art or are in the Schlei region anyway. Allow about an hour, plus time for the tower. The restoration of the tower ran from 2017 to early 2022, so the building is now in good condition.

Practical tips

According to the parish, accessible entrances were created during the renovation, especially into the high choir. Information on dogs and parking is not confirmed. Currency is the euro.