Near the church in Ladelund are the village museum and the internationally significant concentration camp memorial. The area also features archaeological traces dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Viking Age, local automotive history and a natural swimming pond comprising two connected spring-fed lakes. You can shape your stay around remembrance, cultural history or leisure by the water.
Archaeological Traces and Local History
At Toften, an archaeological excavation covered 2.8 hectares and uncovered settlement remains from three different periods. The oldest finds date from the Late Bronze Age. They include a house and a pit reinforced with wood, containing a cup-marked stone. A Viking settlement from the 10th century, with around 20 pit houses used mainly as workshops, was also found.
A particularly well-preserved pit house contained traces of textile production, a heating furnace and evidence of a smithy. Glass and rock crystal beads, along with a rolled-up piece of gold wire, suggest that a goldsmith worked in the settlement. Slag finds indicate that glass was also made there. Because of its exceptional finds and high concentration of workshops, the settlement is considered a significant archaeological site and a unique testament to the past.
Automotive history is also part of Ladelund’s story: in 1939, automotive designer Paul Kleinschnittger began developing a car here and built a chassis. The first prototype, known as the “98er,” was completed by the late 1940s. The F 125 was developed later; its production moved to Arnsberg in 1950. Alongside the archaeological finds, this story offers a different perspective on the technical and craft traditions of local history.
Concentration Camp Memorial: Exhibition and Visitor Information
The memorial’s permanent exhibition is titled “The Concentration Camp in the Village: History and Aftermath of the Ladelund Subcamp.” It is available in German, English, Dutch and Danish. The memorial complex includes a documentation centre, graves for 300 deceased prisoners, a partially restored anti-tank ditch, an information memorial stone and the Garden of Encounter.
The memorial grounds at the site of the former camp, the restored section of the anti-tank ditch and the graves are freely accessible at any time. The exhibition, the graves area and the Garden of Encounter are accessible. Exhibition information may change; check it and confirm accessibility details before travelling. Interested visitors can use the archive by prior arrangement. The library covers the history of National Socialism and the Ladelund camp.
You can also include a cycling trip in your visit: the Grenzroute cycle path passes through Ladelund. A signposted detour leads to the memorial, where bicycle parking is available. Routes and facilities may change, so check the latest information before setting out.
Natural Swimming Pond, Equestrian Activities and Events
As a counterpoint to the historical sites, the natural swimming pond offers two interconnected, spring-fed lakes. The water is untreated. Facilities include diving towers, a large sunbathing lawn, beach volleyball and a kiosk. A separate children’s pool with a slide and island adds to the facilities. In Ladelund, you can choose between exploring history and spending time by the water.
Wilhelminenhof is a boarding and training facility for riding horses; recreational riders and amateurs are welcome. Confirm availability before your trip. The RuFV Wilhelminenhof holds three major competitions each year: a dressage competition, a show-jumping competition and the Ladelund Show Jumping Days. Check the specific dates and programme if you plan to arrange your stay around a competition.
When planning your stay, you can choose a clear focus: the memorial, archaeological site and automotive history take you through different chapters of the past, while the natural swimming pond offers a different way to spend time in the area. The archive requires prior arrangements, and the latest event information is key if you plan to attend a competition.
Discover more destinations: Poppenbüll, Klixbüll, Gröde, Ockholm, Uelvesbüll, Hude / Nordfriesland, Humptrup, Rantrum.
Return to the regional travel overview: Nordfriesland.
