The history of the area can be explored through several themes: early settlement traces and peasant self-government in Sollwitt, as well as the history of technology behind the Herkules wind turbine in Pobüll. For a perspective on the landscape, there is the Pobüller Moor, associated with Sollwitt, and the GeestRundtour, which passes through Pobüller Bauernholz and Nordermoor on its way to Sollwitt.
Early Settlement Traces and Wind Technology
Flint tools and weapons point to settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. Sollwitt was first mentioned in a document in 1407. Iron slag also indicates that bog iron ore was smelted in the area in prehistoric and early historic times. A Neolithic stone axe was found near the road between Sollwitt and Süderhackstedt. Its decorations may point to ritual use.
The Herkules wind turbine in Pobüll was built in 1923 and began operating in 1924. Its rotor measured 12 metres, its tower was 28 metres high, and the wind dynamo produced 13 kilowatts. The installation also powered an attached grain mill. It was connected to 120 installed lamps, a tower lamp for village lighting, and eight electric motors used for threshing and chopping. These technical details show the range of tasks the installation served: lighting, grain processing and agricultural work.
Everyday History and Community
The Dingstock had a specific role in rural self-government: it was used to convene assemblies or negotiations with the Bauervogt. The Dingstöcke from Sollwitt and Sollwittfeld had split ends that could hold written messages. The messenger carried them from one neighbour to the next. This object thus illustrates how messages were passed on within the community at the time.
Four historic leasehold farms in Sollwitt originally belonged to the cathedral chapter, the Catholic church administration in Schleswig. Remains of older buildings have been preserved in the Klein-Sollwitt settlement area. The municipal coat of arms also reflects a local connection: a leafy tree represents Pobüll and refers to the nearby Pobüller Bauernwald.
The Ortskulturring Sollwitt-Pobüll has been active since 1953 and organises events and courses each year. The specific programme varies. These community activities complement the historical themes, though individual events and courses do not remain the same from year to year.
Moorland, Woodland and Routes
Pobüller Bauernholz is a landscape conservation area on a low terminal moraine ridge in the Husum-Bredstedt Geest. Its approximately 152 hectares include deciduous woodland, wet meadows, moors and fields. The wetlands provide breeding or resting habitat for numerous bird species; the area is also designated as a NATURA 2000 site. The Pobüller Moor, associated with Sollwitt, adds to this landscape history: its peat layer is up to seven metres thick, and parts of the moor were reclaimed in 1927.
The GeestRundtour passes through the Pobüller Bauernholz landscape conservation area and Nordermoor before reaching Sollwitt. It runs mainly along quiet minor roads or agricultural tracks and avoids main roads where possible. The route is listed as 31.6 kilometres long, with a duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Check current route information and trail conditions before setting off.
Cycle paths connect Sollwitt with Viöl and Süderhackstedt. You should also check local conditions on these routes in advance. For navigation, there is both a described circular route and cycle paths to the two places mentioned.
Discover more destinations: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Lübke-Koog, Hattstedtermarsch, Horstedt, Humptrup-Krakebüll, Humptrup, Immenstedt, Stadum, Tümlauer Koog.
Return to the main travel overview: Nordfriesland.
