“Signed on February 14 1842” the inscription on the Plöner Vertrag stone seems to whisper. This unassuming stone marks a pivotal moment in history. It commemorates the Plöner Vertrag a treaty that reshaped the political landscape of the Duchy of Holstein and the Principality of Lübeck.
The Plöner Vertrag was an agreement between King Christian VIII of Denmark and Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August of Oldenburg. It involved a significant exchange of territories between Holstein and the Principality of Lübeck which was part of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The treaty which came into effect on January 1 1843 significantly reduced the fragmentation of the region. This simplified administration and made borders easier to manage.
Before the Plöner Vertrag the Principality of Lübeck was divided. It consisted of 400 square kilometers spread across ten separate parts. After the treaty the Principality was consolidated into two distinct areas around Eutin and Schwartau. A complete unification didn’t happen. Oldenburg refused to give up either of its historical core territories. Denmark also didn’t want to cross foreign territory for the Altona-Neustädter Chaussee.
As a result of the Plöner Vertrag the Office of Kaltenhof and the Office of Großvogtei were merged to form the new Office of Schwartau in the Principality of Lübeck. Lands previously grouped under the Office of Kollegiatstift went to Holstein. The treaty established a customs union. This made the Principality of Lübeck part of the Danish-Holstein customs area.
The Grand Duchy of Oldenburg ceded several places and rights to Holstein. These included Altgalendorf Klein Wessek Nanndorf Neuratjensdorf part of Rellin Techelwitz and Teschendorf from the Office of Kollegiatstift. From the Office of Großvogtei Oldenburg gave up Gießelrade Groß Barnitz Hamberge Hansfelde the manorial rights over Kesdorf Klein Barnitz Tankenrade and Travenhorst.
In return Holstein ceded territories to the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. This included the Holstein share of Gleschendorf Fassensdorf with some land and the Döse lake Garkau Gothendorf the Holstein share of Ratekau including its fieldstone church and parsonage the Holstein share of Schüersdorf and Schulendorf. Holstein also gave up its share of Cashagen and rights over Oldenburg’s share of Gleschendorf. Finally they gave up ownership of Scharbeutz and land in Röbel and Wulfsdorf.
This little stone a silent witness to power plays and border shifts reminds us of the Plöner Vertrag. This treaty played a crucial role in shaping the history of this region. It offers a glimpse into the complex political dynamics and territorial adjustments of 19th-century Europe. The Plöner Vertrag not only simplified administration but also left a lasting mark on the landscape and identity of the region.