Munkmarsch

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Munkmarsch is a small village on the North Sea island of Sylt, in the Nordfriesland district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Today it is an Ortsteil of the municipality of Sylt.

Etymology
The name Munkmarsch comes from “marsh of the monks.” In Frisian, the place is called Munkmersk.

History
- The area once belonged to St. Canute’s Abbey in Odense and was known in old records as Sankt Knutsmarsch, Munckmarsch, and Monckmarsch.
- A mill was built in 1744, and from the 18th century mail boats touched at the harbour.
- In 1859 a 100-meter pier for ferries was constructed, linking Sylt to the mainland as Keitum harbour silted up.
- In 1869 an inn was built, which later became the Fährhaus, a landmark hotel.
- A shipyard existed, and in 1888 Munkmarsch was connected to Westerland by the Sylter Inselbahn, cutting travel time to 12 minutes.
- The Hindenburgdamm opened in 1927, reducing ferry traffic; after 1901, ferry activity shifted more to Hörnum.
- During World War I, Munkmarsch served as a major landing area for materiel and troops as the island was fortified.

Geography
Munkmarsch lies between Braderup and Keitum on the Wadden Sea side of Sylt. It sits at about 54.917°N, 8.350°E.

Demographics
The population is very small, around 100 people (as of 2013).

Economy
Today, tourism dominates the local economy. The harbour operates as a marina, used by the Sylter Segel-Club. North of the village are gravel pits that supply local construction sand and, in the past, yielded fossils.

Attractions
The 19th-century Fährhaus is now a luxury hotel with a restaurant that has two Michelin stars.

Government
Before 1970, Munkmarsch was part of Keitum. It then became part of Sylt-Ost, which in 2009 merged with Westerland and Rantum to form the municipality of Sylt. Since May 1, 2015, the mayor of Gemeinde Sylt has been Nikolas Häckel.