“Nyendorpe” rings through time. We stand before the 750 Jahre Niendorf Plaque. It commemorates a village first mentioned in 1385. Niendorf’s story is etched in this plaque.
Niendorf’s history goes back centuries. The first record of “Nyendorpe” is in Lübeck’s city records. This record dates back to 1385.
The plaque marks more than just a date. It represents Niendorf’s evolution. Niendorf transformed from a village to a seaside resort. This transformation began in 1855.
Imagine Niendorf before tourism. In 1855, Johann Johannsen placed two bathing carts. He put them in front of his “Logierhaus.” Today, it’s known as Johannsens Kurhotel. These carts were a novelty. Soon, others imitated Johannsen. Tourism in Niendorf began to flourish.
Niendorf developed its attractions early. In 1895, a farmer donated land for a Kurpark. This park had beautiful trees. In 1933, trails opened along the Aalbeek. Napoleon had planned to use the Aalbeek for warships in 1810. Thankfully, this plan never happened. Today, the Aalbeek offers a beautiful natural landscape.
The Herrmann-Löns-Blick viewpoint gives a wide view. It overlooks the lake forests and fields.
The Vogelpark opened in 1973. It features many birds including owls and parrots.
Not far from the Vogelpark is the Räuberkuhle. It holds traces of a 13th-century robber baron’s castle. Legend connects this place to Klaus Störtebeker. He may have sought refuge here.
The Brodtener Steilufer offers a scenic path. The coast rises 15 to 20 meters above the Baltic Sea. It provides a view of the Lübeck Bay. You can see the Trave estuary.
In 1945, the British military government founded Timmendorfer Strand. Niendorf became part of this municipality. The economic miracle of the 1950s boosted tourism. Niendorf expanded as a resort.
Niendorf continued to develop. A seawater spa was built in 1953. It became the “Haus des Kurgastes” in 1967. Recognition as a Baltic Sea spa came in 1954. A new pier was built in 1966. The Meerwasserschwimmbad opened in 1975. These steps made Niendorf a popular resort.
The Niendorf plaque also indirectly honors the Niendorf fishing port. Unlike Lübeck’s fishermen, Niendorf’s fishermen lacked a harbor. They depended on Travemünde’s harbor during storms. Smaller boats were pulled onto the beach.
Niendorf’s fishermen dreamed of their own harbor. The harbor was built between 1920 and 1922.
The rise of tourism led to conflict. Fishermen used the beach to land boats and dry nets. The smell was unpleasant for tourists. Tourism representatives worried about visitor numbers. The fishermen agreed to move if a harbor was built.
This plaque captures Niendorf’s story. It changed from a village to a seaside resort. It had attractions such as the port, beaches and hotels. It is a place where visitors enjoy their vacation.