Friedhof der Heimatlosen

The Cemetery for the Nameless is a burial ground in Westerland on the island of Sylt for unidentified people recovered from the sea. The site contains roughly 400 graves marked with simple wooden crosses and memorial plaques that were established over four decades.

A shipwreck collector named Wulf Hansen Decker founded this cemetery in 1854 to give proper burial to people found along Sylt's shores. Over the decades, hundreds of victims from maritime accidents were laid to rest here, bearing witness to the harsh history of seafaring in the region.

The name reflects its purpose: a burial place for people without known identities or families to claim them. Visitors see simple wooden crosses and memorial stones that show how the community has honored and remembered these deceased over many generations.

The cemetery is located at the corner of Elisabethstraße and Käptn-Christian-Straße and is fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or mobility aids. The grounds are easy to explore on foot and a visit can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours depending on your interest.

In 1888, Queen Elisabeth of Romania donated a memorial stone inscribed with verses about those lost at sea, showing the international attention this place drew. The stone stands today as one of the most notable objects on the grounds and reminds visitors of the compassion this site received from distant lands.

Location: Sylt

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

GPS coordinates: 54.90564,8.30069

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:01