The Kiel Castle is situated in one of Kiel’s most beautiful locations between the harbor, palace garden, government quarter, and the old town. The castle is the cultural center of Kiel, whose history goes back to its foundation in the 1240s. The old castle, once one of the most distinguished architectural works of the renaissance in Schleswig-Holstein, was constantly threatened by deterioration and catastrophic fires. A process of rebuilding in the 18th century changed it beyond recognition. Today, the west wing remains the only part in its original form. The other parts of the castle were rebuilt up until 1965.