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St Bartholomew’s church with its baroque onion dome in Wesselburen

📍 Sights

Wesselburen: onion dome, Hebbel museum & cabbage region in Dithmarschen

The smallest town in Dithmarschen with a baroque onion dome unique in northern Germany, the birthplace of the poet Friedrich Hebbel and the Kohlosseum in the heart of Europe’s largest cabbage region. A rewarding trip towards the North Sea.

Wesselburen is the smallest town in the Dithmarschen district and lies in the wide marsh, only a few kilometres from the North Sea. Three things make the place special: a baroque onion dome that is a real rarity for northern Germany, the birthplace of the poet Friedrich Hebbel and the Kohlosseum in the heart of Europe’s largest cabbage region. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel it is a slightly longer but rewarding drive towards the coast.

Proud town of Wesselburen

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inhabitants

And rumour has it that more heads of cabbage grow around Wesselburen than the region could ever count inhabitants. Nobody fancies counting them exactly, though, for there are simply too many heads out on the wide fields.

Wesselburen at a glance

  • The smallest town in the Dithmarschen district, in the western marsh
  • Around 3,300 inhabitants, a few kilometres from the North Sea
  • St Bartholomew’s church with its baroque onion dome
  • Birthplace of the poet Friedrich Hebbel with its own museum
  • The Kohlosseum in the heart of the Dithmarschen cabbage region
  • Close to Büsum and the North Sea coast

The onion dome and the church

St Bartholomew’s churchthe landmark

The church on the market square has a striking baroque onion dome around fifty-four metres high and clad in copper. It was built during the reconstruction after the town fire of 1736 and is a real rarity for northern Germany, where such domes are otherwise hardly known.

The legend of the onion domeHistory

Legend has it that the unusual onion dome was a gesture towards the Russian imperial house. This is not securely documented, however, so I tell it only as a charming anecdote rather than fact.

Friedrich Hebbel

Wesselburen is the birthplace of Friedrich Hebbel, one of the most important German poets and playwrights of the 19th century, who was born here on 18 March 1813. In the building of the former parish bailiff’s house from 1737, where Hebbel worked for some years as a clerk, the Hebbel museum is set up today. It shows his life and work in several rooms, along with manuscripts and a specialist library. The museum is run by volunteers and has seasonal opening times, which it is best to check shortly before a visit.

Cabbage region and Kohlosseum

KohlosseumExperience house

On Bahnhofstraße, in the middle of Wesselburen, the Kohlosseum invites you into a former sauerkraut factory. There is a kraut workshop with fresh sauerkraut, a farm shop with regional products and a small cabbage museum. A good place to understand and taste the cabbage region.

The Dithmarschen cabbage regionLandscape

Around Wesselburen lies the largest contiguous cabbage-growing area in Europe. On the wide marsh fields many millions of heads of cabbage grow year after year, an impressive sight, especially at harvest time in late summer and autumn.

Dithmarschen cabbage daysFestival

Every September the region celebrates the Dithmarschen cabbage days with markets and events, including around the Kohlosseum in Wesselburen. The exact dates change, so it is worth checking ahead.

Townscape and history

Wesselburen was first documented in 1281. Its centre is typical of the marsh: the church stands on a wurt, an artificially raised mound at the highest point, and from there the streets run outwards in a star shape. A great fire destroyed much of the town in 1736, after which the church and the parish bailiff’s house were rebuilt, which is why the onion dome and today’s museum building date from that time. So the small town tells of its long history in many places.

Worthwhile destinations nearby

HeideDistrict town

The district town of Dithmarschen with its huge market square and Saturday market, on the way between our guesthouse and Wesselburen.

AlbersdorfStone Age

The Stone Age park and the great Brutkamp tomb make prehistory an experience, all on our own place page.

Büsum and the North SeaSeaside

The North Sea resort of Büsum with its harbour, beach and Wadden Sea is only a few kilometres away, ideal for a day by the sea.

Hanerau-HademarschenHome

The quiet neighbouring village of our guesthouse, with traces of Theodor Storm, the Hanerau estate and a working watermill.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Wesselburen?
Wesselburen is the smallest town in the Dithmarschen district in Schleswig-Holstein, in the western marsh and only a few kilometres from the North Sea. From our guesthouse in Liesbüttel it is a slightly longer drive towards the coast, roughly just under an hour.
What is the main sight in Wesselburen?
Above all St Bartholomew’s church with its baroque onion dome, plus the Hebbel museum and the Kohlosseum. Three very different destinations in a small space.
What is special about the onion dome?
The baroque onion dome is around fifty-four metres high and clad in copper. Such domes are common in southern and eastern Europe but a real rarity for northern Germany.
Is the story about the Russian tsar true?
It is a legend. It is said that the onion dome was a gesture towards the Russian imperial house, but this is not securely documented. It is best enjoyed as a charming anecdote.
Who was Friedrich Hebbel?
Friedrich Hebbel was one of the most important German poets and playwrights of the 19th century. He was born in Wesselburen on 18 March 1813, which is why the town is also called the Hebbel town.
Can you visit the Hebbel museum?
Yes, the Hebbel museum is set up in the building of the former parish bailiff’s house. It is run by volunteers and has seasonal opening times, which it is best to check shortly before a visit.
What is the Kohlosseum?
The Kohlosseum is an experience house in a former sauerkraut factory on Bahnhofstraße. There is a kraut workshop with fresh sauerkraut, a farm shop with regional products and a small cabbage museum.
Is the Kohlosseum in the Wesselburener Koog?
No, the Kohlosseum is in the town of Wesselburen itself, on Bahnhofstraße. The Wesselburener Koog is a separate settlement closer to the coast.
What is the story of the cabbage region?
Around Wesselburen lies the largest contiguous cabbage-growing area in Europe. On the wide marsh fields many millions of heads of cabbage grow year after year, especially impressive at harvest time.
When are the Dithmarschen cabbage days?
The Dithmarschen cabbage days take place every September, with markets and events across the region, including around the Kohlosseum. The exact dates change from year to year.
How old is Wesselburen?
Wesselburen was first documented in 1281. The town received its town rights in 1899, so it is a comparatively young town with an old history.
Why does the church stand so high?
The church stands on a wurt, an artificially raised mound. In the flat marsh such a rise offered protection from flooding. From the church the streets run outwards in a star shape.
What happened in the town fire of 1736?
A great fire destroyed much of the town in 1736. The church and the parish bailiff’s house were then rebuilt, which is why today’s onion dome and the museum building date from that time.
How do I get to Wesselburen?
Most conveniently by car via Heide. By train Wesselburen lies on the Heide-Büsum line, not the main marsh railway, so for guests the car is usually easier.
How far is the North Sea from Wesselburen?
Only a few kilometres. The North Sea resort of Büsum with its harbour, beach and Wadden Sea is quickly reached, so Wesselburen combines well with a day by the sea.
Is Wesselburen suitable for children?
Yes. The Kohlosseum with its kraut workshop is vivid, the onion dome impresses and the nearby North Sea at Büsum offers beach and mudflats. A good mix for a family day.
What can you do in Wesselburen when it rains?
The Hebbel museum and the Kohlosseum are good destinations in the rain, if open. Otherwise a short drive to Heide with its museum island is worthwhile.
Is Wesselburen worth a whole day?
In combination, yes. The onion dome, the Hebbel museum and the Kohlosseum pair nicely with a trip to Büsum by the sea for a lovely day.
Is Wesselburen worth a visit with a dog?
Yes, for a wander through the town and across the fields of the cabbage region. Museums and the Kohlosseum have their own rules, so please follow the local signs.
Can you buy fresh sauerkraut in Wesselburen?
Yes, the Kohlosseum has a kraut workshop and a farm shop with regional products. You can hardly get closer to fresh Dithmarschen kraut.
What can you do around Wesselburen?
Rewarding are the district town of Heide, the Stone Age park in Albersdorf, a day at the North Sea near Büsum and quiet Hanerau-Hademarschen by our guesthouse.
Why is Wesselburen called the Hebbel town?
Because the famous poet Friedrich Hebbel was born here in 1813. The town keeps his memory alive to this day, above all with the Hebbel museum.
Where can I stay nearby?
In a quiet setting at our small guesthouse Nord-West 1700 in Liesbüttel, from where you can reach Wesselburen, the cabbage region and the North Sea as a day trip. Our cosy rooms make a good base for the whole region.

Stay in a quiet setting

Would you like to experience the onion dome, the cabbage region and the nearby North Sea? Our guesthouse in Liesbüttel is a cosy base for trips throughout Dithmarschen, with a hearty breakfast and first-hand tips.

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More places to discover

📍 Heide📍 Albersdorf📍 Neumünster

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