The Schlei is an inlet of the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein between Kiel and Flensburg which stretches for about 26 miles from Schleimünde (the mouth of the Schlei) to Schleswig.

The important Viking settlement of Hedeby (Haithabu) was located at the head of the Schlei near Schleswig. Now there is a museum on the site of the settlement.

Schleimünde © flickr/sky#walker

The region is a popular travel destination not only for lovers of the German television’s “Country Doctor” (Der Landarzt). For about 20 years the small harbour town of Kappeln has been one of the filming locations for the Country Doctor but it has of course a lot more to offer. The romantic old town is more than 650 years old and the herring fences in the Schlei date back to the 16th century. They are the town’s landmark.

St. Nicolas Church in Kappeln was built in the 18th century and inside you can see a wooden crucifix from the 13th century which might have been in the chapel Kappeln derives its name from. The flap bridge across the Schlei is very modern and was built in 2002. Worth a visit in Kappeln also is the Museum Harbour with about 20 old boats. And enthusiasts of old steam railways can go on a trip with the Angeln Steam Train. Or how about a boat trip on the Schlei, a visit to the old windmill or the old sawmill?

Along the Schlei there are many picturesque villages with the typical thatched roof houses and the landscape with its beech woods, flowering meadows and yellow rape fields is just magnificent. Here visitors can go on cycling tours or Nordic trekking excursions, go on a trip along the Garden Route to discover the magic of the Schlei gardens or simply go fishing.

Dom/Cathedral Schleswig © flickr/sky#walker

In Schleswig you can not only discover the world of the Vikings but also visit the princely residence of the Gottorf Dukes. Schleswig once used to be the cultural centre of northern Europe and some of the spirit of those frourishing times is still there. There you can see the Gottorf Globe which is a replica of the wonder of the world dating back to the 17th century and go for a walk in the restored Baroque Gardens of the castle. On the Holm Island you can see old picturesque fishermen’s houses. The most impressive building in Schleswig certainly is St. Peter’s Cathedral. From the Neo-Gothic spire with a height of 112 metres you have a great view of the town.

And being in Schleswig you should also pay the Haithabu Viking Museum a visit. Here you can travel back in time and discover a Viking settlement. The original town of Hedeby was destroyed in a raid in 1066.

Last but not least the Geltinger Birk nature reserve should be mentioned. There you can even see wild horses.

The cuisine of the region is just splendid. Everywhere you get fresh fish and other delicious regional products. And especially for families who want to spend their holidays in one of the many holiday homes the Schlei region is more than suitable. But of course there are lots of good hotels too.

Now in spring while the the rape is blooming and the herrings are coming up the Schlei Fjord the Herring Days are held in Kappeln, Schleswig-Holstein again from 13-16 May, 2010.

With the Herring Days the town is celebrating the old tradition of herring fishing in Kappeln. The herring fences in the Schlei Fjord date back to the 15th century and the one in Kappeln is the last existing in Europe or even the world.

Herring Fence©Julia Höfer-von Seelen

The fences are made of poles with wickerwork made of brushwood. They set up funnel-shaped and lead the fish into the fishing nets like a large fish trap. In former times there used to be many herring fences in the Schlei Fjord between the mouth and the town of Arnis. Most of them were owned by the lords of the manors and they often paid the day labourers with herrings.

The most important event during the Herring Days it the herring bet. You can bet on the amount of herrings being caught at that very day and the person who wins will be Herring Queen or Herring King for one year. The money will be used for the preservation of the herring fence.

Kappeln©Julia Höfer-von Seelen

During the 4 days of the event bands will be playing, you can see the old ships in of the Museum Harbour of Kappeln, go on a ride on a boat or the old steam train of the Angelner Dampfeisenbahn and have a lot of fun and enjoy yourself.

But of course Kappeln is not only worth a visit during the Herring Days. Located in the beautiful region called Angeln on the Schlei Fjord it is worth a visit all year. The town is picturesque with an old windmill and beautiful small houses. The region also is perfect for hiking and cycling and if ratehr go swimming, the beaches of the Baltic Sea are not far.

Kappeln also is a good starting point if you want to visit Schleswig, Flensburg, Kiel, Denmark or the North Sea. Even Hamburg isn’t far away.

Schleswig-Holstein

Flensburg:

Phänomenta
Here you may touch things you see and do little experiments yourself. You will learn a lot about technical and natural scientific things. www.phaenomenta-flensburg.de

Husum:

Schiffahrtsmuseum
Ship models, about how to build ships, shipyards, fishery and whaling, and the history oft he sailors and their families is shown here. www.schiffahrtsmuseum-nf.de

Kappeln:

Historisches Sägewerk

In 1900 work started in the old saw mill which now is a working museum. The saws are powered by a windmill.www.kappeln.de/workingmuseum.html

Kiel:

Kieler Schifffahrtsmuseum

Here you can see ship models of all times, learn about the maritime history of Kiel, and you can even see a model of the first German submarine. www.kiel.de/kulur/museen