A Region of Maritime Legacy and Modern Vitality
History
The Rendsburg-Eckernförde district, formed in 1970 by merging the former Rendsburg and Eckernförde districts, traces its roots to the Prussian reorganization of Schleswig-Holstein in 1867 after the Second Schleswig War (1864), when the area shifted from Danish to German control. Settlement in the region dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of Stone Age activity in inland Geest areas and marshland habitation by the 1st century CE, aided by “Wurten” mounds against flooding. The medieval period saw Rendsburg emerge as a fortified Danish outpost by 1099–1100, first documented in 1199 as “Reinoldesburch,” while Eckernförde, tied to a Danish castle from the 13th century (Ykærnæburgh), grew as a Baltic trading port, gaining town rights in 1601.
The region’s history is marked by its strategic position astride the Kiel Canal—opened in 1895 as the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanal—and its role in Danish-German conflicts. The 1362 Grote Mandrenke flood reshaped the coast, prompting centuries of dike construction, while the 19th-century railway boom, including the iconic Rendsburg High Bridge (1913), linked it to broader European networks. Today, this district, the largest in Schleswig-Holstein by area (2,186 km²), blends its rugged past with modern infrastructure.
North Sea Coast
While Rendsburg-Eckernförde lacks a direct North Sea coastline—bordering the Baltic Sea to the northeast and the North Sea-adjacent Dithmarschen to the west—its identity is tied to the Kiel Canal, a vital waterway connecting the North and Baltic Seas. The district’s northeastern Baltic coast, stretching 55 kilometers, features Eckernförde Bay, a serene inlet with a 4-kilometer sandy beach and steep coastal bluffs near Schönhagen. This Baltic shore, less wild than the North Sea, offers calm waters and a maritime charm, with landmarks like the Bülk Lighthouse guiding ships into the Kiel Fjord.
The Kiel Canal, bisecting the district for 70 of its 98.6 kilometers, is a man-made marvel, handling over 34,000 ships annually (2012 figures) and shaving 463 kilometers off the North Sea-to-Baltic route via Skagen, Denmark. Its banks, lined with cycle paths and dikes, reflect the region’s mastery over water, though rising sea levels pose ongoing challenges. The Wadden Sea’s influence is felt indirectly via nearby North Sea ecosystems, but the Baltic coast defines the district’s seaside character.
Economic Landscape
Rendsburg-Eckernförde’s economy thrives on its central location between Kiel and Hamburg, leveraging the A7 motorway, rail links, and the Kiel Canal—the world’s busiest artificial waterway. Agriculture dominates inland, with fertile marshes and Geest lands yielding dairy, grains, and specialty crops, while Eckernförde’s fishing tradition persists with “Kieler Sprotten” (smoked sprats), despite their name suggesting Kiel. Tourism flourishes along the Baltic coast and canal, drawing visitors to Eckernförde’s beaches and Rendsburg’s industrial heritage, bolstered by events like the SH Netz Cup, a grueling 12.7-kilometer rowing regatta on the canal.
Industry includes two key ports: Rendsburg’s Kreishafen for bulk goods and the Rendsburg Port (opened 2009), Schleswig-Holstein’s only heavy-load harbor, handling oversized cargo like wind turbine parts. Wind energy is a rising star, with turbines dotting the landscape and firms capitalizing on the region’s breezy climate, though local resistance highlights aesthetic concerns. Over 11,500 companies, from hidden champions to global players, employ around 110,000 people, supported by low trade taxes and a high quality of life near the coast.
Cities
Rendsburg
Rendsburg, the district capital with about 30,000 residents, straddles the Kiel Canal and River Eider, its history rooted in Danish fortifications and Prussian expansion. Its old town, with half-timbered houses and the medieval Old Town Hall’s stepped gables, contrasts with its industrial edge. The Rendsburg High Bridge, a 2.5-kilometer steel viaduct completed in 1913, is its crown jewel—more on that below. Cultural sites like the Jewish Museum and Maritime Museum delve into its past, while the canal’s pedestrian tunnel, 27 meters below water with Europe’s longest escalators (since 1965), adds quirky appeal. Rendsburg’s economy ties to its port and canal traffic, blending nostalgia with modernity.
Eckernförde
Eckernförde, a Baltic coast gem of 23,000, lies 30 kilometers northwest of Kiel, its harbor framed by grey-shingled houses earning it Theodor Storm’s tag, “grey town by the sea.” Founded near a Danish castle, it blossomed as a fishing and trade hub, now a tourist draw with its white-sand beach and Krabbentage festival celebrating local shrimp. The Museum Eckernförde explores its maritime roots, while the Gothic Marienkirche (19th century) and Storm’s house-turned-museum enrich its cultural scene. Economically, it balances tourism with small-scale fishing and wind energy ties, its charm lying in its understated authenticity.
The Spectacular Train Crossing Over the Kiel Canal in Rendsburg
The Rendsburg High Bridge (Eisenbahnhochbrücke Rendsburg), a marvel of early 20th-century engineering, carries trains over the Kiel Canal in a spectacle that blends function with drama. When the canal, opened in 1895, severed the Neumünster–Flensburg railway, its planned expansion in 1907 demanded a solution. Swing bridges, used initially, disrupted shipping—a half-hour delay per train—so a bold alternative emerged. Designed by Friedrich Voss and built between 1911 and 1913, this steel viaduct soars 42 meters above the canal’s mean water level, its 2,486-meter span flanked by 5.5-kilometer embankments to manage the 1:150 incline.
The crossing is a visual feast: trains glide across a lattice of steel, high above massive freighters below, while a unique transporter bridge—currently out of service—once dangled a gondola for pedestrians and cars, one of only eight worldwide. From the ground, the bridge’s scale awes, but aboard a train, the journey feels almost serene—passengers glide through snowy fields or summer greenery, the canal a shimmering ribbon far below. On a crisp winter day, the sight of a lone railcar crossing in brilliant sunshine, as noted in travel accounts, etches itself into memory. This fusion of landscape and ingenuity makes Rendsburg’s crossing a standout in Europe’s rail tapestry.
Coat of Arms: Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde
The coat of arms of the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, symbolizes the region’s historical and geographical identity. It features:
- Design: The coat of arms is divided into two main sections. The upper part displays a silver nettle leaf (Nesselblatt) on a blue background, representing the Holstein part of the district, which includes the former Rendsburg district and parts of the former Bordesholm district. The lower part shows a silver wave pattern on a blue background, symbolizing the district’s significant waterways, particularly the Kiel Canal and the Eider and Eckernförde Bay areas.
- Adoption: The coat of arms was officially adopted on July 1, 1970, following the merger of the Rendsburg and Eckernförde districts during the territorial reform in Schleswig-Holstein.
- Significance: The nettle leaf reflects the historical Holstein identity, while the waves highlight the district’s maritime and canal-based heritage, central to its geography and economy.
This design encapsulates Rendsburg-Eckernförde’s blend of rural Holstein tradition and its strategic position along key waterways.
Top 3 Rendsburg-Eckernförde
- Rendsburg High Bridge (Hochbrücke Rendsburg)
In Rendsburg, this steel beast spans the Kiel Canal, finished in 1913 and still a jaw-dropper. It’s not just a railway bridge—at 42 meters above the water, it’s got a suspended ferry gondola dangling below, swinging passengers across in a minute flat. The view from the canal banks is wild: trains rumbling overhead, the ferry swaying, and ships sliding underneath. Climb the nearby tower for a full panorama of the flatlands and water. It’s industrial poetry, a testament to German engineering with a quirky twist. - Eckernförde Bay and Old Town
On the Baltic coast, Eckernförde’s got a sandy beach hugging a curved bay—rare for this stretch of Germany—and a fishing-town soul. The water’s calm, perfect for a dip or a paddle, and the promenade’s lined with pastel houses and cafes. The old town’s a maze of cobblestone alleys, with St. Nicolai Church (13th century) anchoring it—climb its tower for a sea view. The harbor’s still active, with trawlers unloading herring, and the yearly fish market’s a salty treat. It’s got a relaxed charm, less rugged than the North Sea but full of life. - Hüttener Berge Nature Park
Inland near Hütten, this hilly pocket—topping out at 106 meters with Bungsberg—feels like a surprise in Schleswig-Holstein’s flat expanse. It’s rolling woodlands, heath, and meadows, with trails winding past kettle lakes left by the Ice Age. The lookout tower on Scheelsberg gives you a sweep over the treetops to the Baltic on a clear day. It’s quiet, green, and a bit wild—deer and foxes roam, and the air’s crisp. A perfect breather from the coast’s bustle.
Bonus Tip – An Under the Radar Destination: Gettorf
Gettorf’s a small town south of Eckernförde, tucked inland from the Baltic buzz. It’s got a zoo that punches above its weight—think wolves, lynxes, and a walk-through lemur enclosure—set in a wooded patch that feels more like a nature park. The town itself is low-key, with half-timbered houses and a bakery or two, but it’s the quiet that hooks you. No fjord or canal drama here, just fields and a sense of stepping off the tourist map. Spring’s ideal, when the zoo’s animals perk up and the countryside greens.