Pinneberg

Pinneberg is a rural district in Schleswig-Holstein that stretches from the southern Elbe coast into inland areas, encompassing both mainland towns and the North Sea island of Helgoland. The landscape consists of marshland, moors, and gently rolling terrain with numerous small rivers and waterways running through it.

The district took its present form in 1867 when Schleswig-Holstein joined Prussia following conflicts in the region. Since then it has remained a key administrative area in southern Holstein, shaped by its growing connection to nearby Hamburg.

The district has deep roots in river trade and fruit farming, traditions that still shape the appearance of many villages. You can see small orchards and historic farmsteads throughout, showing how residents have lived with the land and river for generations.

The area is best explored by car or bicycle since villages are scattered and public transport connections are limited. For longer trips to major towns or Hamburg, the S-Bahn railway offers regular service connecting several communities across the district.

Hidden near Klein Nordende lies the Liether Kalkgrube, a quarry containing fossil deposits from the Permian period roughly 250 million years ago. This geological site reveals rare layers from a time when this region was covered by ancient seas.

Location: Schleswig-Holstein

Inception: 1867

Capital city: Pinneberg

Elevation above the sea: 8 m

Shares border with: Steinburg, Segeberg District, Stade, Eimsbüttel, Altona, Hamburg

Website: https://kreis-pinneberg.de

GPS coordinates: 53.75000,9.75000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03