Spikerog • Spiekeroog Island is one of the seven inhabited East Frisian Islands. They are located in the North Sea off the coast of the federal state of Lower Saxony. Spikeroge is located between the islands of Langeoog and Wangerooge in the middle of the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park, which has the status of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
“Green Island” Spikerog
The East Frisian Islands arose about 5,000 years ago as a result of the formation of sandbanks and dunes, that is, they have never been part of the mainland. Spikerog is the greenest of them, although the soil here is as poor as on the neighboring sandy islands.
Among the trees there are undersized oaks, black pines, aspens and mountain ash. The main plant of the island wastelands is shiksha – an evergreen shrub from the heather family.
Spikerog Island. Photo gallery
With the exception of rescue vehicles, vehicles with internal combustion engines are prohibited on Špikeroog. It is not even recommended to take bicycles here, as many of the local narrow paths are closed to them. Tourists carry their luggage on trolleys or electric cars.
About 65 thousand people usually spend their holidays on this island every year. More than 80 thousand tourists come to Spikerog for one day, without an overnight stay.
German presidents and other guests of Spiekerog Island
The first guests came to rest here in 1820. At that time, the population of the island was about 150 people. Rooms were rented in about 30 houses.
In 1885, a horse-drawn railway was built between the island village and the beach on the west side. Part of the track has been preserved and is now used as a museum attraction.
Christina and Johannes Rau in 1999 on a sea ferry on their way to Spiekerog Island
Frequent visitors to the island included German federal presidents Gustav Heinemann, Richard von Weizsäcker and Johannes Rau. The latter even owned a private house here – since the days when he headed the government of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In 1982, Johannes and Christina Rau chose the local Old Island Temple (Alte Inselkirche) to host the church wedding ceremony. The building was erected for the evangelical community at the end of the 17th century.
Rescuing drowning people is the work of the islanders
Spiekerog is closely related to the history of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS). In the middle of the 19th century, near the local coast, the barque “Ioanne”, heading with settlers to the United States, sank, and later the British brig “Alliance”. Due to the insufficient number of boats, the inhabitants of the island were unable to provide proper assistance to those in need.
To prevent the situation from repeating itself, in 1861 the “Society for the Rescue of Those in Distress in Front of the Coast of East Frisia” was created here, on the basis of which the current organization arose later. At the disposal of this society is now about 60 rescue ships and boats. The DGzRS has around 200 staff members and over 800 volunteers.
The visiting card of Spikerog Island
Region: North Sea
Federal state: Lower Saxony
Area: 18 km²
Population: 800 people
Number of beds in hotels and guesthouses: 3700
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