Sylt-Ost

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sylt-Ost
Ortsteil of Sylt

Coat of arms
Sylt-Ost
Coordinates: 54°52′N 08°22′E / 54.867°N 8.367°E / 54.867; 8.367Coordinates: 54°52′N 08°22′E / 54.867°N 8.367°E / 54.867; 8.367
Country Germany
State Schleswig-Holstein
District Nordfriesland
Town Sylt
Area
 • Total 37.97 km2 (14.66 sq mi)
Elevation 1 m (3 ft)
Population (2007-12-31)
 • Total 5,833
 • Density 150/km2 (400/sq mi)
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes 25980
Dialling codes 04651
Vehicle registration NF
Website www.gemeinde-sylt.de

Sylt-Ost is a village, former municipality and seaside resort on the island of Sylt, in the district of Nordfriesland, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The place is the seat of the Amt Landschaft Sylt. A public referendum in May 2008 decided for the merger of Sylt-Ost with the town of Westerland in 2009.[1] Since 1 January 2009, it is part of the municipality Sylt.

Districts

The municipality is divided into the five formerly independent villages of Archsum, Keitum, Morsum, Munkmarsch and Tinnum. The current municipality was created in 1970.

Archsum

A prehistoric settlement in this area is proven by archaeological research. According to old lore, all inhabitants of Archsum fell victim to the plague in 1350. Afterwards the village is said to be re-settled by people from Rantum. In 1634 the sea dikes were destroyed by the Burchardi flood. Only in 1938, due to the construction of the neighbouring Rantum Basin seaplane port, Archsum was again completely protected by dikes.

Keitum

Due to its numerous alleys and the high content of old trees, Keitum is today regarded as the island's "green village". Already in the late 12th century the church of St. Severinus was built there.

Morsum

Morsum is located in a heath on a 1.8 kilometres long cliff shore, which reaches up to 21 m of height.

The late Romanesque church of St. Martin was built in the 13th century from granite blocks and cobblestones. Instead of a proper tower, it features a small separate wooden bell tower. In the 15th and 16th century, this village was also frequently struck by the plague. Since 1958, Morsum is recognised as a climatic health resort.

Munkmarsch

The village is first recorded in 1422. In 1859, a port was constructed which featured a ferry link to the mainland harbour of Hoyer.

Tinnum

Tinnum is the municipality's biggest settlement and forms a structural unit with Westerland to the west. Not least because of the central location on Sylt, a number of business parks can be found here, which are of import for all tourism-related enterprises on Sylt. Moreover, several great discount shops are situated here, thus Tinnum, in addition to Westerland, plays a central role in provisioning local citizens and guests.

The original village of Tinnum, which used to be the seat of the island's bailiff from 1547 to 1868 and hosted the local prison and courthouse, was first mentioned in 1440. The bailiff's house of 1649 is one of the oldest remaining buildings on Sylt.

Near Tinnum there is also the so-called Tinnumburg, an eight metres tall ring wall with a diameter of 120 m which was built around the time of Christ's birth.

Politics

Mayors

  • 1986-1996: Heinz Maurus, CDU
  • 1996-2005: Ingbert Liebing, CDU
  • 2005-2008: Christoph Schmatloch, CDU
  • 2008: Erik Kennel

Arms

Blazon: Per fess low or and azure. Above a sun rising in his splendour gules, accompanied by five eight-pointed mullets azure. Below a herring argent swimming to the left.[2]

The coat of arms was designed by a Sylt artist and granted in 2002. The five mullets (stars) in it symbolise the villages of the municipality. The herring is meant to depict the former importance of fishery for the area, it was already used as the seal of the Sylt bailiffs in the 17th century. The colours are the traditional North Frisian colours which are also reflected in the island's national costume.

Economy

The most important factor of income is tourism, which nowadays influences almost any business on Sylt. While being most important prior to the arrival of the tourist business, agriculture meanwhile plays a minor role.

Notable people

  • Gustav Jenner (1865–1920), born in Keitum, was a composer and conductor.
  • Boy Lornsen (1922–1995), born in Keitum, was a sculptor and author of children's literature.

References

  1. ↑ "Westerland und Sylt-Ost fusionieren" (in German). Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag. 
  2. ↑ Schleswig-Holstein Municipal Roll of Arms (in German)
This article incorporates information from this version of the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.