Museums

In St. Peter-Dorf, the town’s history comes to life. Just a short walk from the Eiderstedt Landscape Museum, you can discover a number of historical and cultural highlights. How about a visit to “Jan and Gret” or a leisurely stroll with a picnic through the historical island?

Right in the middle of the market square in St. Peter-Dorf, the bronze sculptures Jan and Gret magically draw everyone’s attention. Children climb all over the sculptures or play in the water—and many visitors have their pictures taken in front of them. Created in 1997 by the German sculptor Claus Homfeld, they symbolize the “lütten Lüüd”—the common folk—who once lived in the old, separate villages of St. Peter and St. Peter-Ording. They serve as a reminder of the arduous fishing of that time—Jan with a “Prigg,” a sharp-toothed fork, and Gret with a “Glieb,” a drag net.

In St. Peter-Dorf, on the old dike, the Local History Working Group has created a tranquil gem with the “historical island.” With meticulous attention to detail, buildings and structures typical of the region—ranging from utilitarian to culturally and historically significant—have been recreated. For example, you’ll learn about the ingenious Dutch invention of the dike gate and, as you admire the rare Schipperhuse, you’ll soak up the history of this popular vacation destination.

The reconstruction of the bakehouse in St. Peter-Dorf gave rise to this small museum grounds—much to everyone’s delight, since fresh bread is regularly baked here in the oven according to old traditions. The bakehouse is a popular gathering spot, and with its rustic tables and benches, it’s the perfect place for a quick picnic.

How did people actually store and keep food and drinks cool in the past, without electricity or refrigerators? In the old days, the locals built ice cellars—that is, ice caves in the dunes—where they stored blocks of ice in the winter to keep things cold well into the summer. On the historical island in St. Peter-Dorf, you can explore a replica of one such ice cellar.