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The old town of Itzehoe on the river Stör

📍 Sights

Itzehoe: sights, old town and museums on the Stör

One of the oldest towns in Schleswig-Holstein, picturesquely set on the river Stör. Itzehoe combines an old town church, a fine district museum and a lively old town with intriguing industrial history. About half an hour from our guesthouse.

Itzehoe is the district town of the Steinburg district and one of the oldest towns in Schleswig-Holstein. It lies on both sides of the Stör, a navigable tributary of the Elbe, and looks back on more than eight hundred years of town history. An old town church, a fine district museum, a cosy old town and an unusual industrial history around cement make Itzehoe a rewarding day trip. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel it is a good half-hour drive.

Proud town of Itzehoe

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inhabitants

And rumour has it that beneath Itzehoe’s old town lie more layers of history than the town has houses. We still prefer to count the inhabitants, who do not stand quite as still as the old walls.

Itzehoe at a glance

  • District town of the Steinburg district, one of the oldest towns in the region
  • Around 32,850 inhabitants, set on both sides of the Stör
  • The town church of St Laurentii and the Prinzeßhof district museum
  • A cosy old town with cloister court and theatre
  • Industrial history around cement (Alsen)
  • About 25 kilometres from Hanerau-Hademarschen, roughly half an hour

Old town and church

Town church of St LaurentiiLandmark

The town’s main church was first mentioned as early as 1196. Its tall tower shapes the townscape and is visible from afar at around eighty metres. The tower can occasionally be climbed, which is best asked about locally.

Old town with cloister courtStroll

Around the cloister court founded in 1256, the old town invites a wander. Narrow lanes, old houses and small squares tell of the town’s long history.

Malzmüller meadowsRecreation

By the water lie the Malzmüller meadows, a green recreation area with a view of the Stör. Where there are meadows today, a loop of the river once ran, filled in during the 1970s.

Museums and culture

Prinzeßhof district museumMuseum

The town and district museum sits in the Prinzeßhof, the oldest secular building in town from the 16th century. It owes its name to three abbesses of the convent who once resided here. It shows trade, crafts, storm floods and town history.

Theater itzehoeStage

The theatre, opened in 1992, is a touring venue of regional importance with a varied programme from drama to concerts. Lovely for an evening when something is on.

Wenzel Hablik Museumcurrently closed

The museum dedicated to the expressionist artist Wenzel Hablik is closed for a major refurbishment, with reopening only planned for around 2027. As a point of contact there is the Hablik Lounge in the town centre at Feldschmiede 52. So do not yet plan the museum as an open destination.

History

Itzehoe’s origins reach back to the 12th century, when a castle was built here on the Stör. The town is first mentioned in 1196, and the convent was founded in 1256. Over the centuries Itzehoe was an important trading place on the navigable Stör. Its industrial history plays a special role: from the 1860s the Alsen cement works on the Stör grew into a significant cement production based on the region’s chalk. This blend of old trading-town atmosphere and industrial history keeps Itzehoe intriguing to this day. Walking through the old lanes, you sense this long history on many corners and facades.

Worthwhile destinations nearby

Schenefeldold church

The small country town with one of the oldest churches in Schleswig-Holstein, the mother church of the Holsten, all on our own place page.

Hanerau-Hademarschen~half hour

The neighbouring village with traces of Theodor Storm, the Hanerau estate and a working watermill, good for quieter hours.

HeideDistrict town

The district town of Dithmarschen with its huge market square and the time-honoured Saturday market.

Kiel CanalCanal

North of Itzehoe the Kiel Canal beckons with ferries and big ships, for example at Bornholt or Fischerhütte.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Itzehoe?
Itzehoe is the district town of the Steinburg district in Schleswig-Holstein and lies on both sides of the Stör. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel it is a good half-hour drive, about 25 kilometres.
How old is Itzehoe?
Itzehoe is one of the oldest towns in Schleswig-Holstein. It was first mentioned in 1196, and its origins as a castle reach back to the 12th century.
What are the main sights in Itzehoe?
The town church of St Laurentii, the Prinzeßhof district museum, the old town with its cloister court and the Malzmüller meadows on the Stör. Plus the theatre and the industrial history around cement.
Can you climb the tower of St Laurentii?
A tower climb is occasionally possible, but it depends on dates and offerings. It is best to ask locally or at the parish.
What is the Prinzeßhof?
The Prinzeßhof is the oldest secular building in town from the 16th century and today houses the district museum. The name goes back to three abbesses of the convent who resided here.
Can you visit the Wenzel Hablik Museum?
Not at present. The museum is closed for a major refurbishment, with reopening only planned for around 2027. In the town centre the Hablik Lounge at Feldschmiede 52 serves as a point of contact.
What are the Malzmüller meadows?
The Malzmüller meadows are a green recreation area by the water with a view of the Stör. Where there are meadows today, a river loop once ran, filled in during the 1970s.
When is the weekly market in Itzehoe?
Itzehoe has a weekly market on Thursday and Saturday, each in the morning. It is best to check the exact places and times shortly beforehand.
What festivals are there in Itzehoe?
A highlight is the Itzehoer Woche in early summer, a large town festival with market, stage and programme. The exact dates change from year to year.
Is there a theatre in Itzehoe?
Yes, the Theater itzehoe, opened in 1992, is a touring venue of regional importance with a varied programme from drama to concerts.
What is the story of the cement history?
From the 1860s the Alsen cement works on the Stör grew into a significant cement production based on the region’s chalk. It shaped the town as an industrial location.
Is Itzehoe easy to reach by car?
Yes. From Hanerau-Hademarschen it is about 25 kilometres, roughly half an hour. By train a change is usually needed, so the car is more convenient for guests.
Is Itzehoe worth a whole day?
Quite possibly. The old town, the Prinzeßhof, the church and a walk on the Stör easily fill a day, nicely rounded off with a market or theatre visit.
Is Itzehoe suitable for children?
Yes. The Malzmüller meadows offer room to romp, the old town invites a wander and the district museum tells history vividly. For older children the theatre programme is interesting too.
What can you do in Itzehoe when it rains?
The Prinzeßhof district museum and a theatre visit are good options in the rain. A stroll through the covered parts of the town centre is also an option.
Is Itzehoe good for shopping?
Yes, as a district town Itzehoe has a lively centre with many shops. That makes it a good destination for a shopping trip too.
Is Itzehoe on a river?
Yes, on the Stör, a navigable tributary of the Elbe. The river shapes the townscape and the history of Itzehoe to this day.
Is Itzehoe worth a visit with a dog?
Yes. The Malzmüller meadows and the paths along the Stör are good for walks with a dog. Museums and shops have their own rules.
What can you do around Itzehoe?
Rewarding are the old church in Schenefeld, quiet Hanerau-Hademarschen, the district town of Heide and a detour to the Kiel Canal.
How far is Itzehoe from the Kiel Canal?
The canal runs north of Itzehoe and is easily reached by car, for example to the ferries at Bornholt or Fischerhütte. So town and water can be combined in a day.
Is there parking in Itzehoe?
Yes, the town centre has car parks and parking garages. For a relaxed stroll it is worth parking centrally and exploring the old town on foot.
Can you walk along the Stör in Itzehoe?
Yes. Along the Stör and on the Malzmüller meadows there are lovely waterside paths, ideal for a quiet walk in the middle of town.
What makes Itzehoe special?
It is the mix: a very old town history, a lively old town on the Stör and an unusual industrial history around cement. So Itzehoe offers many different impressions in a single day.
Where can I stay nearby?
In a quiet setting at our small guesthouse Nord-West 1700 in Liesbüttel, about half an hour from Itzehoe. Our cosy rooms make a good base for the whole region.

Stay in a quiet setting

Would you like to explore the old town on the Stör and return to the countryside in the evening? Our guesthouse in Liesbüttel is about half an hour away, with a hearty breakfast and first-hand tips.

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