Katharinenhof’s natural beach is especially popular with people who search for and collect stones. The steep coast, with its sweeping views across the Baltic Sea, and traces of widely differing periods add to its appeal. The manor house and prehistoric Urdolmen add a historical dimension to the coastal setting. Katharinenhof thus brings together landscape, outdoor activities and culture as different reasons to visit.

Natural Beach and Steep Coast

The natural beach is stony and especially popular with people who search for or collect stones. Behind the beach, the steep coast drops sharply towards the sea, reaching a height of around five metres in some places. High above the water, it offers sweeping views across the Baltic Sea. The forest above the steep coast also lends this stretch of coastline its natural, idyllic character. The beach, steep coast and views each represent a different aspect of the landscape: the beach is about stones, while the steep coast is about the striking shape of the coastline and views of the sea.

The steep coast is well suited to hiking; sections of the wider steep-coast landscape can also be explored by bicycle. The two activities have a different spatial focus: hiking takes place along the steep coast itself, while cycling covers sections of the broader coastal landscape.

Erosion naturally changes the coastline. Change is therefore as much a part of the landscape as the stony beach, the forest above the steep coast and the views across the Baltic Sea. Those interested in natural landforms can explore the area not only through its beach and views, but also by observing how the coastline changes over time.

Manor House and Prehistoric Urdolmen

The historic manor house in Katharinenhof was built in 1756, and relics from earlier times have been preserved there to this day. The year it was built gives the building a specific historical reference point, while the preserved relics broaden the perspective beyond a single date. The manor house is thus a cultural highlight in its own right, alongside the coastal landscape.

The Urdolmen of Katharinenhof, also known as the Katharinenhof V megalithic tomb, is a prehistoric megalithic burial site dating from between 3500 and 2800 BC. In contrast to the manor house, the focus here is on a burial monument from prehistoric times. The two historical sites differ both in type and in timescale: the manor house was built in 1756, while the Urdolmen dates back to prehistoric times.

The Urdolmen is near Hinrichsberg. At 27.9 metres, Hinrichsberg is the highest elevation on the island of Fehmarn. Its proximity connects the archaeological site to a clear geographical point of reference on the island.

To choose a focus for your visit, a simple consideration may help: would you like to focus on the coast, with its beach, views and outdoor activities, or are you more interested in architectural history and prehistory?

Discover more destinations: Landkirchen, Klausdorf, Staberdorf, Lemkendorf, Lemkenhafen, Bannesdorf, Meeschendorf, Albertsdorf.

See the overview of destinations: Fehmarn.