Holstein Switzerland

As Holstein Switzerland is called the eastern hill country Holstein, a region that was formed during the last ice age. The geographically not precisely defined cultural landscape includes, among other things, the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park and is one of the most important tourist regions in Northern Germany.

Geography and landscape

Holstein Switzerland is located in the east of the federal state of Schleswig -Holstein. The region in the past Wagria is politically or geographically not exactly limited. It is located largely in the districts of East Holstein and Plon, approximately between the cities of Lübeck and Kiel and extends to the Baltic coast. Larger towns include Bad Malente- Gremsmuehlen, Luetjenburg, Oldenburg in Holstein, Preetz and the old royal cities Eutin and Plön.

The appeal of this region can be explained by the varied landscape that has emerged in the resulting during the Weichselian young moraine landscape of Schleswig- Holstein hill country. Smaller forests alternate with structured by Knicks arable land and the shape of the landscape is determined by low hills, between which a multitude of lakes are located. These include, amongst others the Great Plön Lake, the Dieksee or Kellersee. Many are traversed by rivers and floodplains, such as the Schwentine, which opens into the Kiel Fjord, or Kossau, which flows into the Great lake. The highest elevation is the Bungsberg at Schonwalde. With the only ski lift Schleswig-Holstein and his 168 meters above sea level. NN he is also the highest "mountain" in the state.

Origin of the name

The name " Holstein Switzerland " dates back to the 19th century, in which were popular ( with correspondingly wealthy ) Travel to Switzerland; Therefore, other regions were anxious to give the name or suffix " Switzerland " to. On May 20, 1885 John Janus opened on Kellersee in Malente the hotel " Holstein Switzerland " - that was very popular. The hotel's name was first transferred to the Holstein Switzerland train station and later to the entire area.

History

Holstein Switzerland is already inhabited for several thousand years. In the early Middle Ages the area was still partly inhabited by the Wends, whose traces can be found for example in Oldenburg and which have established the settlements Plön or Eutin. In the Middle Ages the area was colonized and was from the 9th century, the Frankish empire. In the late Middle Ages, the city developed to smaller economic centers and the landed gentry expanded its secure manor, which is the basis of the nobles estates were at the beginning of the modern era. The estates dominated the landscape as well as the economy from about 1500 until the 20th century. From the 16th century, Plön and Eutin developed to courtly residence cities in different branches of the family of the house of Oldenburg.

In the goods of a rich cultural life took place, resulting in the 19th century, for example in Eutin shows at the junction of 18, which was referred to as Weimar of the North. Until the mid- 19th century, the area was marked by the reign of Denmark, the first administered the region as a fief, and eventually integrated in the entire state. 1867 was the Holstein Switzerland as part of Holsteins over to Prussia. After the end of World War II, the traditional Gutswirtschaften were partly dissolved, after the end of World War II, tourism took a leading role in the economy of the region.

Tourism

The agricultural landscape is characterized by large noble estates, historic farms, most of which are formed by large farmyards and subsequent mansions. They include, for example Panker, Testorf, Rantzau or Hagen in Probsteierhagen. Some of the locks as in Eutin or Plön can be seen to enter many of the estates in the Schleswig -Holstein Music Festival or different markets. The Good Salzau home to the country's cultural center.

For walkers the Naturparkweg connects the five natural parks in Schleswig -Holstein. Cyclists provides the Holstein Switzerland an extensive network of cycle paths and quiet country roads and lanes. The great lakes be driven in part by excursion boats, and on the waters is Canoeing and other water sports possible. Through the nearby Baltic Sea coast are several seaside resorts in the vicinity.

Lakes

In descending order of size:

  • Greater Ploen Lake 3000 ha
  • Selenter See 2137 ha
  • Kellersee 560 ha
  • Dieksee 386 ha
  • Lanker See 324 ha
  • Behler See 277 ha
  • Post see 276 ha
  • Little Lake Plön 239 ha
  • Big Eutiner See 230 ha
  • Stocksee 207 ha
  • Trammer lake 163 ha
  • Suhrer lake 137 ha
  • Schluensee 127 ha
  • Schöhsee 78 ha
  • Süseler lake 77 ha
  • Seedorfer lake 76 ha
  • Sibbersdorfer lake 55 ha
  • Stendorfer lake 54 ha
  • Seekamper See 45 ha
  • Small Eutiner See 37 ha
  • Ukleisee 32 ha
Holsteinische Schweiz station Adolph Friedrich Vollmer Ostholstein Eutin Castle Trammer See Sibbersdorfer See Stendorfer See Tourism in Schleswig-Holstein Little Switzerland (landscape)
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