Moorfleeter Deich

Slipping through time, let’s journey to Moorfleeter Deich. Here stands the Hufnerhaus, a relic of Hamburg’s rich past. Moorfleeter Deich isn’t just a dike. It’s a gateway to a bygone era. The Hufnerhaus, built in 1660, whispers tales of Hamburg’s merchant elite. These city-weary traders sought solace in the Vierlanden region. They built pleasure villas like the Hufnerhaus. Imagine Moorfleeter Deich in the 17th century, a tranquil escape from bustling Hamburg. The Hufnerhaus is a beautiful example of a half-timbered country house. It even has an attached barn. The name “Hufnerhaus” comes from “Hufner,” a Low German term for a farmer who owned a substantial plot of land, about 12 hectares. This impressive structure is one of the ten oldest houses in Hamburg. Moorfleeter Deich’s Hufnerhaus has witnessed centuries of change. Its original Flett hall house design remains. This design featured an open living hall called the “Flett.” It served as a stove, work, and lounge room. The basic dimensions of the Hufnerhaus are a grand 14 by 32 meters. A sweeping gable with thatched hips faces southwest towards the dike. This side housed the living area and the raised bedroom. On the opposite side were the stables. Inside, glimpses of the past linger. Windows and remnants of stencil paintings on the walls hint at a 19th-century transformation. Remarkably, the core structure remains largely untouched. The German Foundation for Monument Protection stepped in to preserve this piece of Hamburg’s history. In 2015 and 2016, the foundation funded critical repairs. The thatched roof was replaced. The outer framework and lining were also repaired. Moorfleeter Deich and its Hufnerhaus offer a tangible connection to Hamburg’s past. They stand as a testament to a time when merchants sought refuge in the tranquil countryside.