HEDEBY (HAITHABU) VIKING MUSEUM & MARKET
GOTTDORF PALACE IN GERMANY

We had occasion to drop down into Schleswig-Holstein in Germany to visit the Hedeby (Haithabu) Viking Museum and hit the Summer Viking Market. The museum is near the site of Hedeby, a former medieval city focusing on the Viking Age history of the region. Originally in Denmark, the city was ceded to Germany in 1854. The museum features reconstructions of various Viking Age dwellings and ships and houses numerous artifacts discovered during the ongoing archaeological research of the area. The Viking Market offers just about everything one would want from period crafts, jewelry, clothing and arms of all kinds. There was also food and drink. My associate, Derek seems to find the mead establishments before I do.

Since we were in the area (we had a nice room and view of the marina from the Akzent Hotel Strandhall), we were able to also visit the Gottdorf Palace Museum. The museum is situated within the grounds of Schloss Gottorf, a historic castle in Schleswig. The museum features a variety of artifacts, including Viking pottery, which provides a glimpse into the region’s past. A notable item at the museum was the display of the Thorsberg Trousers, an ancient design dating back as early as the 2nd century. These tight fitting trousers identified early German and Scandinavian males. Also at the museum was the Nydam Boat, dated to 310 to 320 AD and the oldest preserved early Germanic deep-sea rowing boat. It is an early precursor to the venerable clinker built Viking ships. 

©2025 Derek Springer. Used with permission.

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