Westerland: a memorable holiday experience
The famous Westerland is a seaside resort and also a former municipality which is located on the German North Sea island of Sylt. From the 1st of January 2009, Westerland has been an important part of the municipality Gemeinde Sylt. Also, Westerland is a part of the Nordfriesland district located in Schleswig-Holstein. It is one of the largest resort on the island and has excellent local transportation facilities and is also the centre of Sylt’s tourist industry.
History
Westerland is amongst the younger settlements on the Sylt Island. It was after the All Saints’ Day Flood that took place on 1436 which destroyed the community of Eidum that the survivors decided to build a new community on the north-eastern side. Hedigen was the name given to this new settlement. Westerland got its first documentary mention in the year 1462 and in the year 1695 there were about 76 houses which were taxable.
In the year 1855, the local Landvogt had decided to turn the Westerland into a resort by the seaside. After the year 1857, this minor village which was centered on a church started growing into a larger resort. It was in this year that the first hotel opened up called the Dunenhalle. After this, many others followed, even though many of them have torn down since then in order to make room for various other structures. The first solid building was set up in the year 1880 on the dunes right at the beach. From 1893, electricity was viable. A telephone cable in the year 1897 was laid to the mainland. The Kurhalle was inaugurated in the year 1880 and was followed by the art nouveau Hotel Miramar in 1903. This still stands on the promenade today.
Also in the year 1890s, Westerland had replaced Keitum as the preeminent town on Sylt. This is not just regarding tourists but also regarding the infrastructure and other facilities used by the locals. This was clearly seen in the year 1892, by the move of the island’s only pharmacy from Keitum to the Westerland.
A building for various spa applications was built in 1908. Also, the original airfield was constructed in the year 1912. Due to the various military fortification of the island which was under the Nazis, the population of the town increased from that of 4,000 in the year 1934 to 7,700 by 1940.
In the year 1948, an official recognition was received as a seaside spa town. Various concrete high-rise buildings that dominate the Westerland skyline were all built during 1966-68.
Geography
The Westerland is situated on the western shore of the Sylt Island on the North Sea. It also lies about 70 km northwest of Husum and even 74 km to the west of Flensburg. Besides it also is located around 134 km northwest of Kiel and even 186 km northwest of Hamburg.
Economy
The Westerland economy is very strongly oriented towards the tourism industry of the island. In around 25,000 beds there were about 2.5 million overnight stays recorded. Roughly it is estimated that there are around 1,300 tradespersons in town which account for about 500 per inhabitant for income tax.
It is due to the glamorous and affluent lifestyle of Westerland along with its thriving tourism that the place is very well known as the “Beverly Hills” of Germany. And rightly so, as this place receives a large number of tourists every year.
Attractions
The beach and the 6-kilometre long promenade is one of the major attractions at Westerland along with its Musikmuschel music pavilion. Westerland today has around 30 listed historic buildings and about 150 are considered to be of particular significance or having architectural value. One of them is the Kurhaus from 1897 which now houses the municipal administration and also a casino.
Numerous sculptures are featured in Westerland like in the pedestrian zone such as the Wilhelmine. Also near the train station in 2001 Reisende Riesen Wind was created.
There are three churches in Westerland, and they are:
- The St. Christophorus(de), which is a Roman Catholic Church built during 1997-99 to replace the previous structure from 1957. Before this, the Herz-Jesu-Kapelle which was built in the year 1896 had stood in that location
- The St. Nicolai (Westerland)(de) which is also a Protestant church and it was consecrated in the year 1908.
- The St. Niels, which is a Protestant church. It was built between the years 1635-37.
Tourism in Westerland
There is real focus on the tourism in Westerland. Be it a holiday home, hotel or a guesthouse you will easily find accommodation here of every kind. It provides the residents and guests with all the facilities. You are permitted to drive on the Westerland’s well-constricted road network just like every other North Frisian island. The “Marsh rail” is the stretch of railway here and links the stations of Elmshorn to the south and Westerland to the north. It takes passengers over 11.3 km long Hindenburgdamm through the Wadden Sea.
There are several types of leisure activities that one can enjoy in Westerland. Be it indoors, active or relaxed activities, the town has everything in store for you in all the seasons. You can enjoy the picturesque landscape of Sylt and the beautiful pristine beaches along with the comfortable and healthy climate of the town. There is a Sylter Welle place which is ideal for water rats and offers several sophisticated water fun and games. You can unwind yourself in the sun deck outside while you enjoy the uninterrupted view of the ocean. Thus, Westerland has a lot on offer for people having diverse interests.
You can also explore Westerland by riding bikes. You will be able to take in nature on beautiful solitary paths and also through idyllic villages. You can easily rent out a bicycle from the many bike rental outlets that are available and get to know the island metropolis from its most beautiful side.
Also, there are unique experiences for the young and the old like the Sylt Aquarium in Westerland. You will get to marvel at more than 5000 native and also tropical ocean inhabitants in an amazing underwater world. Several restaurants are also located here that showcases a vibrant and amazing nightlife along with a unique lifestyle. In case you want to experience Westerland from above, a sightseeing flight can be arranged to go around the island to enjoy the bird’s eye view.
So why wait any longer. Book your next holiday to Westerland and enjoy water sports, sightseeing and nature’s beauty! Enjoy the trip with your family and friends – you won’t regret it, we promise!