Fehmarn

Fehmarn is an island in the Baltic Sea, located off the eastern coast of Germany. It is the country's third-largest island, after Rügen and Usedom. The island is separated from the German mainland by the Fehmarn Sound and from the Danish island of Lolland by the Fehmarn Belt.

Fehmarn is connected to the mainland by the Fehmarn Sound Bridge. Important towns on the island include Burg auf Fehmarn and Puttgarden, where ferries depart. The island is part of the district of Ostholstein.

A major transportation route, called the Vogelfluglinie, crosses Fehmarn. This route links Copenhagen in Denmark to Hamburg in Germany through Lübeck. Two large tunnels are currently being built nearby: the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel and the Fehmarn Sound Tunnel.

History

Fehmarn has had many names over time, such as Femera and Fimbria. Long ago, it was settled by a group of people called the Wagri during the Early Middle Ages. The island's name comes from an old language meaning "in the sea."

Many villages on Fehmarn were started by these early settlers. Later, people from nearby areas also came to live there. Over time, the island became part of different regions and countries. Today, Fehmarn is linked to the German mainland by a big bridge. In the future, it will also connect to a nearby Danish island through an underwater tunnel.

Fehmarn Sound Bridge between Großenbrode and Fehmarn

Geography

Climate

Fehmarn has a mild climate because it is surrounded by water. The island experiences warm summers and cool winters, making it a pleasant place to visit throughout the year. The sea helps keep temperatures comfortable, even during the hottest or coldest parts of the year.

Transport

The Fehmarn Belt is a narrow stretch of water that separates Fehmarn from the island of Lolland. People can travel across it using ferries that go between the ports of Puttgarden in Germany and Rødbyhavn in Denmark. The trip takes around 45 minutes.

In 2007, Denmark and Germany approved plans to build a special tunnel called the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, which they hope to finish by 2028. There is also a big bridge called the Fehmarn Sound Bridge that links Fehmarn to the German mainland near Großenbrode.

Nature

Fehmarn’s coasts are important resting places for birds that travel long distances, making it a favorite spot for bird watchers. The island’s bird reserves are cared for by a nature group at the Wallnau Waterbird Reserve. In the town of Burg, there is a big aquarium with 40 tanks full of fish.

Fehmarn is well-known for its beautiful nature and places to relax, especially in the summer months from July to September. The island is also famous for activities like windsurfing and kitesurfing, with more than ten known spots for these sports.

Culture

Scharwenzel is a fun card game for teams, and it has been played on Fehmarn for over 300 years. It is still enjoyed by people living there today.

Fehmarn was also where famous musician Jimi Hendrix gave his last concert on September 6, 1970, at a special event called the Open Air Love & Peace Festival. You can still see a memorial stone at Flügge Beach where it happened.

The St. Nicholas Church has a very old baptismal font that was made in the year 1391.

Notable residents

Fehmarn has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some well-known residents include Johann Horkel, a physician and botanist, and Benedikt Niese, a classical scholar. The island also saw the birth of Charlotte Niese, a writer and teacher, and Frederick W. Schumacher, an American philanthropist and businessman.

Famous artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a well-known painter, lived on Fehmarn for several years. Another notable person is Peter Wiepert, a builder and writer who was born in Bisdorf; a museum on the island carries his name. The island was also the birthplace of boxer Jürgen Blin.