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GPS Coordinates

1 -- Heide, County Dithmarschen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Decimal Lat: 54.194847 / Lon: 9.09463
Degree

 

Dithmarschen Kohltage (Cabbage Days)

The colourful autumn event in Europe’s largest single area of cabbage cultivation

Location: Dithmarschen region between Hamburg and Sylt

This is the name of a regional festival held annually in the district of Dithmarschen. In the same way as wine festivals do in South Germany, these aim to demonstrate the significance of cabbage growing for the region and to lure tourists in the shoulder season. With Dithmarschen traditionally none too friendly towards the aristocracy, two young ladies are elected as “cabbage regents” rather than “cabbage queens”.

Other attractions include several cabbage and vegetable markets, a cabbage EXPO in Wesselbeuren and cabbage dishes in nearly all the restaurants in Dithmarschen. The start of the cabbage harvest is also offi cially marked by cutting of the first specimens during the festival. Ever since the late 19th century, Dithmarschen has been Europe’s largest single cabbagegrowing area. Depending on the year, roughly 80 million heads of cabbage are grown here on between 2500 and 3000 hectares.