Helgoland is a small archipelago in Germany. It is also known as the ‘Gibraltar of the North Sea.’ Despite being heavily destroyed by the bombings of the two World Wars, the residents of the island still managed to rebuild it. They not only built the infrastructure of the island once more but also ensured that the island becomes a sight to behold.
With inhabitants dedicated to making the island the most popular tourist attraction, a clean environment, diverse attractions to visit and beautiful beaches, Helgoland is undoubtedly one of the most visited islands of Germany.
History
The history of Helgoland begins in the year 1807 when the island functioned as a center of smuggling as well as espionage against Napoleon. In 1814, Denmark ceded the island to the British King George III. It marked the beginning of British settlement in Helgoland.
It was in 1826 that Helgoland was turned into a seaside resort. It was an instant hit with the European upper class. It soon attracted artists and writers such as Heinrich Heine and August Heinrich Hoffmann Von Fallersleben.
In the year 1890, Britain returned the island to Germany in the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, where Germany exchanged Helgoland with Zanzibar with the British.
During the First World War, Helgoland became a major naval base in Germany. On 18th April 1947, Helgoland was used as a bombing range by the British. The Royal Navy detonated a massive amount of explosions. It created one of the biggest single non-nuclear detonations in History. It resulted in what is referred to as ‘Big Bang’. As an aftermath of the explosion, the base of the island shook down to the base, changing the base structure of the island, creating a third one (Mittelland).
In recent times, apart from being a popular tourist destination, Helgoland has become a center for the wind power.
Location
Helgoland is approximately 46 km away from the German coastline and is made up of two islands: Hauptinsel and Dune.
Weather
Helgoland has a typical offshore climate. Winters are not extremely cold here, with temperatures ranging from -5 degrees to 10 degrees. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -11.2 degrees. It has been registered in the year 1956. The hottest temperature likewise reached its record high in 1994, at 28.7 degrees. The general climate of the island is sunny.
The Island
Helgoland is an island made of red colored cliffs. Despite substantial devastation faced by the landscape, the island continues to thrive in the presence of inhabitants who have their unique dialect, traditional attire, and a ubiquitous flag.
A series of colorful houses will greet you as soon as you take your first step in Unterland, the lower part of the island. This is when you realize that you are in for a delightful day out today since the houses aren’t the only eye-catching visuals you will encounter on your trip. Once you move up to Oberland, the upper part of Helgoland, don’t forget to stand at the promenade and breathe in gentle twists and turns of air. From that part of the island, the land will not be visible anymore. All you will witness is water, surrounding the island in all its glory.
Although a British colony from 1807 to 1890, only bits and pieces remain as a symbol of the island’s colonial past. These include a plaque dedicating a church to the royal monarch at the time of colonization: Queen Victoria and a street named after the governor of Helgoland from 1863-1881- Sir Henry Maxse.
The nightlife is something that will be relished by people who are curious to try new cuisines. Helgoland knieper and chunky pincer are local varieties that will make your mouths water. Being a duty-free island in Germany, one can take delight in low-cost alcohol, perfumes, and chocolates to our heart’s content.
Traveling the island
Being the only High Point Island in Germany, Helgoland has a lot more to offer than just a day out with swimming or surfing in the Sea. The pollution-free zone of the island with abundant availability of water and air has made numerous species of birds feel at home here. If you are keen to observe them, you can head to Lummenfelsen. It is the smallest nature reserve in Germany. It consists of just a single rock. Five species of seabirds, such as Guillemots, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Northern Gannet are found here. You can embark on this happy trail and capture memories in your camera.
The best part about Helgoland is its architecture. After the ‘big bang’ of 1947 which almost removed the island from the map, and Britain’s choice to return the island to Germany, hoards of people started to reside there. They rebuilt their houses in 1952, taking inspiration from the Bauhaus and Scandinavian models. The buildings erected in 1952 are present till this date. The only place in Germany to still have preserved the architecture of the 1950s will surely not disappoint. You can plan a vacation with your family and friends and enjoy exploring this amazing place.
You can also take a walk on a sandy island near Helgoland known as the Dune. With amenities such as a ferry to get you across, various small restaurants and cafes and a couple of holiday villages will make your stay at the Dune more comfortable and enjoyable than ever.
Whatever direction you choose to go in, Helgoland has something for people of all ages to enjoy. You can take your kids to a nearby museum that displays the history of the island or indulge in some heavy shopping with your friends or spouse. You can simply go to the seaside and enjoy some good old volleyball with your family and pals.
Why visit?
Helgoland is an island you must visit if you are seeking some tranquil moments away from the fast paced world. Beautiful architecture, attractive landmarks, delicious local cuisine and inexpensive shopping- what more does one need on his day off?
Here, nature speaks to you in its full glory. Listen to the sounds of seabirds living in harmony with natural surroundings. The island has something to offer to every persona inside you- be it a history nerd, an adventurer or a quiet philosopher. Whatever your quest may be, Helgoland fulfills all of it.
A beautiful island with friendly people and sumptuous beer is a place that must make its place on your bucket list. People from all over the world visit this place, thanks to its amazing picturesque locations and equally amazing people. The best place to visit the island is all throughout the year, though summer months are preferred by the tourists in general.
Major attractions
Helgoland will never disappoint when it comes to offering visual delight to its visitors. If you want your trip to the island to be a meaningful and memorable one, visiting these major attractions is a must.
- The Sandstone Cliffs: This rock that stands in the middle of the Sea is colored with all shades of red with some white lines visible in between.
- Lange Anna: The most famous attraction on the island is this rock pillar. A century ago, all the rocks surrounding Lange Anna crumbled. This rock pillar acts as a skyscraper for birds.
- Hummerbuden: Colorful houses lined up opposite the quay functioned as work sheds for fishermen’s tools and equipment. With a steep decline in the fishing industry, these houses have now been converted into little shops, art galleries and so on.
- Helgoland Museum: This museum lets you know about the history of the island, with information about the first inhabitants as well as the rudimentary tools used for fishing.
What else is around?
- The Berlin Bear
- The Protestant Church
- Wind Jammer
- Aura-Soma Spa
- Halunder Jet