UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Schleswig-Holstein

Since 1972, UNESCO has been awarding the World Heritage title to natural and cultural sites of exceptional significance and unique character. Of the more than 1,200 World Heritage sites worldwide, 55 are located in Germany. Three of them are in the “Real North”!

What do Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, India’s Taj Mahal, England’s Tower of London, and New York’s Statue of Liberty have in common with Lübeck, Haithabu, and the Wadden Sea? That’s right! They’re all on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Our “Queen of the Hanse,” the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. With the inclusion of the city’s medieval center, this marked the first time in Northern Europe that an entire city district was added to the list. Since 2009, the Wadden Sea has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. Covering nearly 4,380 km², the national park is home to thousands upon thousands of living creatures. The Haithabu settlement and the Danewerk have been part of the site since July 2018. Haithabu was one of the most influential trading centers in Northern Europe and a transportation hub for merchants from all over the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hanseatic City of Lübeck

The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is emblematic of the Hanseatic cities in the Baltic Sea region; it is still regarded today as the “Queen of the Hanse” and is particularly well known for its distinctive city skyline featuring seven towers. In 1987, Lübeck’s historic city center became the first entire urban area in Northern Europe to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Haithabu and Danewerk

From the 9th to the mid-11th century, the settlement of Haithabu on the Schlei was an influential trading center and a major transportation hub for merchants from all over the world. Consequently, Haithabu and the Danewerks—a defensive system over a thousand years old—were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Wadden Sea

Did you know that the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is the largest national park between the North Cape and Sicily and the area with the greatest bird diversity in Central Europe? In 2009, the Wadden Sea was recognized as a transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site. It forms the world’s largest contiguous system of tidal flats and barrier islands and, with its mudflats, dunes, beaches, and sandy areas, provides habitat for approximately 3,200 animal species, about 250 of which live exclusively in salt marshes. In addition, the Halligen and other islands shape the landscape of the Wadden Sea.

Wattwanderer bei Husum — © sh-tourismus.de

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Intangible cultural heritage is characterized by human knowledge and skills, creativity, identity, and social coexistence. Unique traditions, customs, rituals, and festivals are included on the list.

The Art of Thatched Roofing

The first documented thatched roofs date back to around 4,000 B.C. Covering roofs with the natural building material reed is one of the oldest craft techniques in house construction. Thatched roofing requires a high level of technical skill to construct roofs using reeds—or, as was often the case in the past, straw. In 2014, this traditional craft was designated as intangible cultural heritage.

Hummerbuden und Dampferbörte im Hafen von Helgoland

Helgoland Dampferbörte

The Dampferbörte is an old maritime tradition on Helgoland that shapes the character of this North Sea island. Acting as a kind of shore transport service, it ferries passengers to and from the seaside resort ships anchored offshore.

Living Together in the German-Danish Border Region

The German-Danish border region is characterized by cultural diversity and civic engagement. The coexistence of Danish and German minorities, the neighborly ties that span the border, and the region’s cultural distinctiveness have therefore been recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2018.

Ring Riding

Over the past few decades, ring riding has become a popular recreational activity that takes place between May and August. It has its roots in rural horse husbandry and is particularly widespread in Schleswig-Holstein. Tournaments and parades celebrate this equestrian sport, in which participants attempt to spear rings.

Low German Theater

Low German theater is one of the main pillars of Low German culture. The combination of theater and the regional language of Low German gives it its unique character. Low German theater is primarily performed on local stages in rural regions of northern Germany.

Bonfire

The Biike burning on Schleswig-Holstein’s North Sea coast has been part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014. Every year on February 21, Biike fires blaze on the islands and Halligen, as well as in various towns in North Frisia. This pagan custom heralds the arrival of spring.