Wilhelmstein Island, an artificial island on Lake Steinhude in the Hanover region of northwestern Germany, looks like the perfect place to isolate yourself during a pandemic.

The story of Wilhelmstein Island began in 1761, when Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe, ruler of the County of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg and an important military commander in the Seven Years’ War, ordered the construction of a military fortress in the middle of Steinhude Meer, the largest lake in northern Germany. The military defensive complex originally consisted of 16 islands built on large foundations of stone transported to the middle of the lake by local fishermen in their boats. A star shaped fortress was built in the middle of the main island, and later a military college designed to train the leaders of the next generation.

Photo: ChristianSchd/Wikimedia Commons/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

As a fortress, Wilhelmstein Island was tested only once, in 1787, during the Hessian Siege, when it successfully kept the besieging forces of the Duke of Hessen-Kassel at bay. After Wilhelm’s death and the relocation of the military school to the mainland, the island fortress was converted into an escape-proof state prison.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the 16 original islands were merged into a single rectangular island, increasing the available space and helping the island better withstand the fury of the natural elements.

By 1867, all prisoners had been transferred to other prisons, and the “renaissance” of Wilhelmstein Island as a tourist attraction began. In just a few decades, the artificial island turned into a popular destination for visitors from all over Germany and beyond. In 1900 the first weddings are organized on the island as its popularity reaches an all-time high.

Even though the descendants of Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe sold Lake Steinhude to the district of Hannover in 1974, in order to avoid expropriation, Wilhelmstein Island remained the property of the Schaumburg-Lippe family, and is currently administered by an island bailiff from the princely court in  Bückeburg.

Today, Wilhelmstein Island remains one of the most beautiful attractions in all of Germany. After reaching it by boat, tourists can visit the old fortress turned into a museum, take  tour of the island, or simply take in the beautiful scenery. The island also offers accommodation, if you plan on spending more than a day there.

When it comes to isolated retreats, we’ve featured some interesting options here on Oddity Central, from the world’s loneliest house, to an isolated lighthouse in the middle of the sea.