Linau combines a clear historical focus with a connection to the surrounding landscape: Linau Castle lies west of the village center near DorfstraĂźe, and three castle mounds surrounded by moats are clearly visible in the landscape. Linau is also on the edge of the Hahnheide nature reserve and recreation area, directly on the district boundary with Stormarn. The history of a specific castle site and the perspective of a wider landscape thus sit side by side.
Linau Castle: Design and History
The Knights of Scharpenberg built the castle in the late 13th century overlooking the Hamburg–Lübeck trade route. Linau Castle is a motte on a ring foundation. The surviving stone ring foundations are listed as an archaeological monument. Following an authentic restoration of the foundations, the remains are more clearly visible; the ruin is considered the only one of its kind in southern Holstein. Several aspects are important to understanding the site: its medieval origins, its design, and the structures that survive today.
Archaeological Traces and Local History
Linau is recorded in the Ratzeburg tithe register for 1230. Archaeological work in 2018 also documented a brick kiln believed to date from the 19th century. Medieval wall remains have also survived, with diameters of up to four meters. The brick kiln broadens the story beyond the medieval castle, while the wall remains connect to the history of the site. The castle site thus offers clues from different periods, without grouping them into a single construction phase.
Another aspect of local history is reflected in the municipal coat of arms, which depicts the source of the Bille as a local feature. This adds a connection to the landscape to the story of the castle site.
Landscape and Visiting
An association maintains and interprets Linau Castle, including through guided tours. If you are planning a tour, check its availability before your visit. In the wider Stormarn region, the Hahnheide is the district’s largest nature reserve. It has numerous hiking trails and a cycling loop. Follow the nature reserve’s current rules when visiting.
Linau in the Wider Destination
In the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg, the focus expands to forests and water: 26 percent of the district is forest, and it has 48 lakes. Visitors to the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park can hike, cycle, canoe, and swim; there are also four signposted cycling routes. These regional options offer a different focus from Linau’s castle and local history, helping you decide what you want your stay to center on.
If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether you want to focus on Linau’s castle and local history or also take in the wider natural landscape and waterways of the Duchy. This can help you choose accommodation that suits the theme of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Brunstorf, Möhnsen, Breitenfelde, Sterley, Ziehten, Behlendorf, Hohenhorn, Römnitz
Back to the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.
