Framed by the River Eider and the Kiel Canal, Rendsburg is a historic town in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It passed between Danish and German control several times throughout its history before being annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia in 1866. With the completion of the Kiel Canal in 1895, Rendsburg became an important dockyard and port.
Things to do in Rendsburg
Spanning the Kiel Canal south of the city is the 2,000-metre Rendsburg High Bridge, which was constructed in 1913 to serve the Neumünster–Flensburg railway. Designed by Friedrich Voss, it is the longest railway bridge in Europe. For the best views of the bridge, settle in at the canal-side Brückenterrassen Cafe, which serves homestyle German dishes and cakes.
Sprawling across the western edge of the city centre is Stadt Park, a lakefront green space where you’ll find peaceful walking trails and statues of prominent individuals. Occupying a royal armoury on the park’s edge are the Museums in the Cultural Center, which comprises the Printing Museum and the Rendsburg Historical Museum. Changing art and cultural exhibitions are presented on the first floor.
Established in 1988, the Jewish Museum Rendsburg is the second-oldest museum dedicated to Jewish culture and history in Germany. It showcases relics dating back to the 17th century and memorabilia from the Holocaust and also hosts plays, concerts and readings. Guided tours of the Westerrönfeld Jewish cemetery on the southern outskirts of Rendsburg can also be arranged here.
Getting around Rendsburg
Rendsburg is around 30 minutes’ drive from Kiel and an hour from Hamburg Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Rendsburg railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Rendsburg is compact enough to explore on foot.