Thank you for sharing this review of the little know (in the UK) Island. My ancestors are from Helgoland and it’s my lifelong dream to one day visit and experience a little of what they called home. I corresponded with a wonderful gentleman on the island a few years ago via the museum and family history section and he sent me a complete family tree back to 1668. Sadly I can never thank him in person as he passed away a couple of years ago but I will make it there one day. 👍
Heisenberg went to the island looking for a reprieve from a bad case of hay fever. He formulated the mathematical basis of Quantum Mechanics while there using a branch of maths he didn't really understand. He was 23 years old at the time (1925). (He did not develop the uncertainty principle until 2 years later). The Germans called him the wonder kid.
To me, Helgoland is a daytrip. The family version: drive to Wilhelmshaven, get on the boat, pray that nobody gets seasick, hop of the boat, take the elevator to the top of the island, take a walk around, descend through the village, purchase your duty free items (tobacco, liquor, perfume, chocolate, butter), buy ice cream for the kids, hop on the boat, hop off the boat and drive home. The adult version: hop off the boat, purchase the duty free stuff (minus the butter, it's too much to carry), enter the next bar, get drunk af, hop on the boat, try to sleep on the boat (to avoid seasickness), hoping the (sober) designated driver finds the car to get home.
I find the attempt to destroy Heligoland in 1947, totally bizarre. In 1947 Germany was a broken and occupied nation so didn't pose any threat of re militarisation, but wth an increasingly hostile USSR, the Island would have been a key strategic port for the allies to hold.
Heligoland was already first destroyed during WWII - it was utterly devastated by UK bombing. All the old historical buildings as well as the spa hotels (it had been a massive tourism destination for quite some time) from the prewar era were destroyed. Due to its strategic location in the German Bight, the local authorities under the Nazi dictatorship further redeveloped the island into a naval fortress due to obvious strategic reasons and hollowed out the rocks like a Swiss cheese with bunkers. After the island was completely bombed into oblivion (most civilian residents survived due to the defence programs), they were evacuated/relocated to the nearby German mainland coast. And when the UK tried to blow up the island after WWII, it had been abandoned.
And dont fordet my favorite sightseeing the "long Ann" (die l"ange Anna")^^❤ I thing she is same of the other side of the sea the scotish "Oldenburg man of store" or how ever Asterix schottischer hintersten calls, its my favorite sideseeing place/rock too❤. He & the long ann ❤❤.^^
I am interested in traveling to Heligoland to analyze commercial possibilities. I require information on installed wikkelhouse lodgings and their acceptance as a construction system for the tourism sector.
1947 the island.....was destroyed. So very happy it thrives! But that was one Hell of an explosion! Largest ever! Having a little EOD training...it’s a tough nut to crack! But....7 miles....with tons of ordnance and tons of ammonia Nitrate!
Thank you for sharing this review of the little know (in the UK) Island. My ancestors are from Helgoland and it’s my lifelong dream to one day visit and experience a little of what they called home. I corresponded with a wonderful gentleman on the island a few years ago via the museum and family history section and he sent me a complete family tree back to 1668. Sadly I can never thank him in person as he passed away a couple of years ago but I will make it there one day. 👍
The best way to travel there is hopping drunkenly on a ferry at the St. Pauli docks, after spending a barely remembered night on the Reeperbahn ^^
My German family used make Butter Fahrt to Helgoland ,at least once a year!
I’m German and currently on Helgoland and I’d say it’s not expensive. Mostly you get top quality food out of your expenses.
Once had got an opportunity to visit and stay an over night in this most paradise Helgoland.
Heisenberg went to the island looking for a reprieve from a bad case of hay fever. He formulated the mathematical basis of Quantum Mechanics while there using a branch of maths he didn't really understand. He was 23 years old at the time (1925). (He did not develop the uncertainty principle until 2 years later). The Germans called him the wonder kid.
To me, Helgoland is a daytrip. The family version: drive to Wilhelmshaven, get on the boat, pray that nobody gets seasick, hop of the boat, take the elevator to the top of the island, take a walk around, descend through the village, purchase your duty free items (tobacco, liquor, perfume, chocolate, butter), buy ice cream for the kids, hop on the boat, hop off the boat and drive home.
The adult version: hop off the boat, purchase the duty free stuff (minus the butter, it's too much to carry), enter the next bar, get drunk af, hop on the boat, try to sleep on the boat (to avoid seasickness), hoping the (sober) designated driver finds the car to get home.
I find the attempt to destroy Heligoland in 1947, totally bizarre. In 1947 Germany was a broken and occupied nation so didn't pose any threat of re militarisation, but wth an increasingly hostile USSR, the Island would have been a key strategic port for the allies to hold.
Heligoland was already first destroyed during WWII - it was utterly devastated by UK bombing. All the old historical buildings as well as the spa hotels (it had been a massive tourism destination for quite some time) from the prewar era were destroyed.
Due to its strategic location in the German Bight, the local authorities under the Nazi dictatorship further redeveloped the island into a naval fortress due to obvious strategic reasons and hollowed out the rocks like a Swiss cheese with bunkers.
After the island was completely bombed into oblivion (most civilian residents survived due to the defence programs), they were evacuated/relocated to the nearby German mainland coast.
And when the UK tried to blow up the island after WWII, it had been abandoned.
Thank you good video and good history.
Beautiful place! 👏
And dont fordet my favorite sightseeing the "long Ann" (die l"ange Anna")^^❤
I thing she is same of the other side of the sea the scotish "Oldenburg man of store" or how ever Asterix schottischer hintersten calls, its my favorite sideseeing place/rock too❤. He & the long ann ❤❤.^^
very nice video! and highly interesting!
It's my lifetime dream to visit the Darkest Shore island.
Very nice...thank you
I am interested in traveling to Heligoland to analyze commercial possibilities.
I require information on installed wikkelhouse lodgings and their acceptance as a construction system for the tourism sector.
You forgot the seals
Great place for a U boat base. Oh.....wait!
1947 the island.....was destroyed. So very happy it thrives! But that was one Hell of an explosion! Largest ever! Having a little EOD training...it’s a tough nut to crack! But....7 miles....with tons of ordnance and tons of ammonia Nitrate!
I’ve been there🇺🇸
Why in this video do you keep referring it to heligoland , when clearly it has been Helgoland since before your birth
In English it's known as Heligoland, so as he's speaking English he's correct.
0:47 "Heligoland" smh 🤦♂
What’s the matter with you?! Were you really ‘shaking your head’?
@@heli-crewhgs5285 Why is it Heligoland in English? It's Helgoland in German.
@@Osmone_Everony Its original name was apparently "Heligoland", which sounds weird to me as well but 🤷♂..
@@Osmone_Everony Well, why is it Germany, Munich, or Cologne in English? It's Deutschland, München, or Köln in German.
@@uweshep4578 Because native English speakers struggle with the German Umlaute ä, ö, ü, but that doesn't count towards Helgoland.
Great video!