Island Insel Neuwerk

About 100 kilometres west of Hamburg, the small island Insel Neuwerk, just under three square kilometres, lies right outside the Elbe estuary in the mud flats of the North Sea.

About 100 kilometres west of Hamburg, the small island Insel Neuwerk, just under three square kilometres, lies right outside the Elbe estuary in the mud flats of the North Sea. The Hamburg flag has flown there for over 700 years: In 1299 Hamburg received the right from the Dukes of Saxony to erect a fortress on the island to protect them on their sea journey down the Elbe to Hamburg against sea and shore pirates. To this end in 1310 - after a construction period of just under ten years - a mighty, four-cornered brick tower was completed. The tower is thus not only Hamburg’s oldest construction, but also the oldest on the German coast. In 1814 it was converted into a lighthouse.

Today, Neuwerk together with the islands of Scharhörn and Nigehörn is part of the Wattenmeer (mudflats) nature reserve. As early as 1905, Neuwerk became a leisure destination and seaside resort. Its 33 inhabitants live from agriculture and tourists who love the peace, walks in the sea breeze and the wide spaces of tidal flat and sea. Five inns, an old general store and an amber museum are some of the attractions on the island.