Engelbrechtsche Wildnis

Engelbrechtsche Wildnis combines the history of reclaimed marshland with the Rhin River and a farming way of life. This brings together several interests when choosing a destination: the development of a landscape protected by dikes, vegetable growing and recurring events by the water. The Rhin is the main watercourse; its fertile marsh soils support vegetable cultivation. There are also opportunities for fishing and, with a rented canoe, paddling. If you are travelling for a festival, check its dates and programme for your planned travel period.

A name rooted in the history of the marsh

The area was diked in 1615; the name “Wildnis” (“wilderness”) has remained part of its landscape history. Johannes Joachim Engelbrecht bought Wildnis in 1860, and the area has been called Engelbrechtsche Wildnis since 1861. The dates mark two distinct historical periods: the construction of the dike and the later history of the name. This helps place the name of the area in the context of the landscape’s development.

Vegetable growing and historic farmsteads

According to family records, vegetable cultivation at Gemüsehof Hauschildt began in 1903. The farm grows around 32 hectares of vegetables outdoors, in addition to producing crops under glass and in a polytunnel. This scale of agricultural production may change over time. For a digital look around, Gemüsehof Hauschildt offers a virtual tour of the farm. Poppenhuus offers another historical perspective: the farmhouse is historic, and its name comes from a doll that a former owner placed in the gable. The area’s history thus brings together agricultural development and a specific piece of architectural heritage.

The Rhin as a watercourse

Fishing is possible along the Rhin; local permits and regulations may apply. Canoeing on the Rhin is possible for people who rent a canoe. Check rental and access arrangements locally before planning your activity. The practical requirements differ: local regulations are relevant for fishing, while canoeing also requires equipment and access.

Events in different formats

Wildnis-Cup and Rhin in Flammen are recurring events; their specific arrangements may change. The Wildnis-Cup features several competitions for small and large teams. These include running and canoeing events by and on the Rhin, including a relay race around the Rhin and a 500-metre canoe sprint in front of Poppenhuus. The family and children’s programme also includes games on a meadow. The Wildnis-Cup has been held in Poppenhus since 2018. Rhin in Flammen offers a different experience: the lantern procession around the Rhin in Engelbrechtsche Wildnis is accompanied by music and illuminated boats. If you are planning your trip around one of the festivals, check the dates, venue and announced programme for that year’s event.

Steinburg in its regional context

The wider Steinburg destination encompasses landscapes stretching from the Elbe to the Holsteiner Auenland. Cycling also offers a broader regional perspective: the Elbe Cycle Route is one of five long-distance cycle routes that pass through the district. Museums provide an overview of the region’s cultural history. The Detlefsen Museum in Glückstadt offers a comprehensive picture of Glückstadt and the Holstein Elbe marshes, past and present. The Kreismuseum Prinzeßhof is housed in the oldest secular building in Itzehoe and presents the history and cultural history of Steinburg district in the 19th and 20th centuries. This allows you to consider the waterways and marsh landscape of Engelbrechtsche Wildnis in a broader regional context.

Discover more destinations: Holstenniendorf, Heiligenstedten, Hohenaspe, Sankt Margarethen, Horst-Herzhorn, Lägerdorf, Willenscharen, Breitenburg

To the main travel overview: Steinburg.