The Great Drowning

Darstellung der biblischen Sintflut aus dem Jahr 1400-1405
Quelle: Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France The Great Drowning
Jan 16 1362
Depiction of the biblical Flood from 1400-1405 Source: Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France

Parts of North Friesland disappear underwater forever

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the inhabitants of the North Frisian marshes protected their land with dykes. However, the plague epidemic of 1350 killed so many people that there was not enough labour to maintain the defences.

A devastating storm surge flooded the North Frisian coast on 16 January 1362. Large parts of the island of Strand, including its largest settlement Rungholt, sank into the sea. Whilst early sources speak of up to 100,000 deaths, this is considered to be an exaggeration. After further storm surges, only the present-day islands of Nordstrand and Pellworm remained; the rest of the once proud island of Strand has lain submerged under the Wadden Sea ever since.

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