What is holstein-gottorp?

Holstein-Gottorp was a small German duchy located in the region of Schleswig-Holstein. It was named after the two main regions it encompassed - Holstein and Gottorp. The dynasty of Holstein-Gottorp originated from the House of Oldenburg and was ruled by a series of dukes from the early 16th century until the early 19th century.

Holstein-Gottorp became a significant player in European politics during the 17th and 18th centuries, thanks in part to its strategic location on the Baltic Sea. The duchy was a major player in the Northern Wars and also had close ties to Russia, as several members of the dynasty served as czars or empresses. One of the most famous members of the House of Holstein-Gottorp was Catherine the Great, who ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796.

The duchy of Holstein-Gottorp was eventually absorbed into the larger Danish-German Confederation in the early 19th century, and its ruling dynasty became one of the most powerful in Europe. Today, the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg continues to be a prominent royal family in Europe, with members serving as the current kings of Denmark and Norway.