The Minsen Mermaid Statue - a Seewief from the Middle Ages

This monument was created in 1992 by Karin Mennen to preserve a legend from medieval times first written down in the 16th century. map

The Minsen Seewief. Photo by Erwin Willemsen.

The legend tells of a mermaid who was caught by fishermen. They refused to release her, but eventually but was able to escape. In fits of revenge she destroyed the area – both Minsen and the larger Wangerland area – with severe storm floods (which have hit this part of Germany in 1164, 1362, 1717 and 1962).

The Wangerland coat of arms shows the mermaid with a finger raised in warning. And even today it is said that Minsen used to be located at the location of the current Minsener Oog, a small uninhabited island that is 3 miles further out to sea.