Volsemenhusen combines a long history of settlement with a landscape shaped by drainage and agriculture. It also has a network of walking and cycling routes, as well as the tourist Marshland Railway. This gives you several options when planning your trip: you can explore the history of the marshland, discover walking and cycling routes, or take a closer look at the Marshland Railway’s distinctive mode of transport.
SĂĽdermarsch: a shaped landscape
Volsemenhusen is part of the human-shaped SĂĽdermarsch. The terrain is low-lying; intensive artificial drainage supports both agricultural use and flood-protected settlements. Water management and land use are therefore key topics to consider when getting a sense of the area. The landscape is not just a natural environment; it has also been shaped by human activity. This makes the SĂĽdermarsch a fitting starting point for reflecting on the relationship between settlement, drainage and agriculture.
Settlement history and the first dyke
Volsemenhusen’s settlement history dates back to the 12th century. Early linear villages were built on raised dwelling mounds to protect them from inland flooding. The elevated location of these homes thus points to a specific challenge of life in the marshland. The first dyke was built in 1581. Several centuries passed between the early settlements and this later date; the area’s history can therefore be seen as a long sequence of settlement development and landscape shaping.
Exploring walking and cycling routes
Volsemenhusen is connected to the wider network of walking and cycling routes. These include sections of the EV 12, marketed as the North Sea Cycle Route. Designated cycle routes also run through the municipality along the L 142, L 173 and L 144. These provide different points of reference when planning your route: the EV 12 is a named cycle route, while the other designated routes can be identified by their state road numbers. Check the latest route information before setting off, as it may change.
Pedal power on rails
The tourist Marshland Railway route from Marne to St. Michaelisdonn passes through Volsemenhusen. The experience involves four-wheeled rail vehicles propelled by bicycle-style pedals. This makes the Marshland Railway different from an ordinary cycling tour: both the route and the mode of transport are part of the experience. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, check the operating season and booking conditions in advance. Both may change.
Agriculture and cabbage
Volsemenhusen is located in one of northern Germany’s important cabbage-growing areas. This adds a specific agricultural focus to the picture of drained marshland used for farming. Together with the settlement history and artificial drainage, it shows how closely the description of the area is connected to the use of the landscape.
Another perspective on Dithmarschen
The wider destination of Dithmarschen offers other ways to explore the region’s history and culture. The Dithmarschen State Museum in Meldorf takes visitors through 1,200 years of Dithmarschen—from the wealth of the farmers’ republic to rural everyday life in the 1960s. The Dithmarschen Stone Age Park offers hands-on activities such as flint knapping, archery, making Stone Age jewellery, making fire and baking bread. The activities available may vary depending on the programme.
Discover more destinations: GlĂĽsing, WelmbĂĽttel, Oesterwurth, Neufeld, Bargenstedt, Dellstedt, Burg, Windbergen
For the wider travel overview: Dithmarschen.
