Morsum

Morsum (Frisian: Muasem) is a village on the North Sea island of Sylt in the district of Nordfriesland in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Today, it is an Ortsteil of the Gemeinde Sylt. Morsum is located close to the scientifically important geotope Morsum-Kliff and to the beginning of the Hindenburgdamm linking Sylt with the mainland.

Etymology

Morsum (Frisian: Muasem) derives from "settlement of Mar".

History

Morsum was first mentioned in a document of 1462 (Zinsbuch of the Bistum Schleswig). Until the 19th century, it was the most populous village on Sylt. In 1695, Morsum had 118 taxable dwellings. A school house was built in 1705. In 1927, Morsum was connected to the railway on the Niebüll-Westerland line.

Geography

Morsum is a Ringdorf located on the Wadden Sea side of the island of Sylt. Morsum is the eastern-most village on Sylt and consists of the sub-villages Abort (Abuurt), Groß-Morsum (Gurtmuasem), Klein-Morsum (Litjmuasem), Holm, Klampshörn (Klaampshörn), Nösse (Nösi), Osterende (Uasterjen), Schellinghörn (Skelighörn) and Wall (Wal). The total area is around 1,164 hectares. Morsum is located at the transition between higher lying geest and the low-lying marshes that, until the Nössedeich was constructed in 1936/37, were constantly threatened with flooding. Northeast of the village lies the Morsum-Kliff (see below).