Here stands the Grenzstein D DRP 1 Wassersleben a silent witness to shifting borders. It marks a place with a story. Wassersleben itself began as a posh suburb of Flensburg. Imagine wealthy residents building their villas here drawn to the water’s edge.
The name Wassersleben has an interesting origin. It comes from Joachim Wasserschlebe. He was a secretary at the German Chancellery in Denmark. In 1780, he bought land here for his retirement.
But there’s an older name for this place too Sosti. This name appears in documents as early as 1767. Sosti might mean pigsty or wild boar path. This suggests farmers once kept pigs in the nearby woods. Or perhaps wild boars roamed freely here.
The Grenzstein D DRP 1 Wassersleben stands near a place that has seen much. In the past, Wassersleben belonged to the parish of Bov. Later it became part of the rural community of Niehuus. For a time all rural communities were under the district of Bau.
From 1816 to 1830, Johannes Sybrandt Lorenzen ran a brick factory here. Decades later his grandson Karl Julius Paul Lorenzen tried to revive the business. He got approval in 1873 and started production. However the brick factory closed around 1890.
During the Nazi era in 1938, Wassersleben became part of Harrislee. This happened despite its close proximity to Flensburg.
Near the end of World War II, dramatic events unfolded here. The opposing side of the Fjord held Nazi Germany’s last government. After the partial surrender on May 4 many U-boats were sunk in the Flensburg area. On May 5, 1945 four U-boats went down near Wassersleben. These were U 1303, U 1304, U 3033 and U 3034. The first two were built in Flensburg. The latter were the most modern U-boats of that time. Many warships and merchant ships anchored in the Fjord then some near Wassersleben.
In 1971, the beach at Wassersleben became part of Harrislee. Sand was added to expand the beach. Since then, Wassersleben has competed with other nearby seaside resorts.
Today, Wassersleben is known for its beach. It is free of tourist tax. During peak season, the DLRG monitors a shallow area. Sometimes parts of the bay have been closed due to contamination. In summer both Germans and Danes visit the beach.
Not far from here is the Steingrab Räuberhauptmannsberg. It is a Stone Age grave. The local radio station also bears the name Wassersleben.
Every February 21 Wassersleben hosts the northernmost Biikebrennen in the country. This bonfire tradition has Frisian roots. Friesland has played a role in Flensburg’s history. According to legend Ritter Fleno from Leck helped found the city. Frisian may have been the third language spoken here long ago. Also it is said that 800 Frisians helped defeat Duburg Castle in 1431.
From Wassersleben a forest trail leads to Kollund via the Schusterkate border crossing. Nearby is the Klueser Wald forest. Wassersleben also offers a recreation forest with barbecue facilities a lawn and a mini golf course. Much of Wassersleben is part of a protected area.
Even now the Grenzstein D DRP 1 Wassersleben marks a place where history and nature intertwine. It stands as a reminder of changing times. Take a moment to reflect on the stories it could tell.