Petkum – Ferry, Floodplain and Culture on the Lower Ems

Petkum combines the landscape of the Lower Ems with a special ferry connection, historic architecture and varied opportunities for cycling and day trips. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Petkum can consider the village as a starting point for nature experiences, a ferry trip to Ditzum and discoveries in Petkum Church. It is worth tailoring your travel plans to your own interests: landscape, route, culture and travel arrangements can be given different levels of importance.

Deichvorland Floodplain and Unterems Nature Reserve

The 200-hectare Petkum Deichvorland floodplain stretches along the Lower Ems from Jarßum to Gandersum. Together with adjacent areas in the district of Leer, it was combined into the “Unterems” nature reserve by the ordinance of 30 May 2017. This landscape shapes Petkum’s character and can make landscape and nature the focus of travel planning.

For cyclists, the seasonal availability of the route is important: The cycle path through the Petkum Deichvorland floodplain, known as the Teekabfuhrweg, is open from 1 July to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 June, the alternative route runs on the inland side of the dike. Those planning a longer tour can also consider the 32.2-kilometre “Ditzum & Emden” alternative route of the International Dollard Route. It passes through Petkum and Ditzum. Another option is the “Around the Ems and Dollard” tour, which leads from Leer through the Rheiderland region, across the Ems, via Petkum and Kloster Thedinga, and back to Leer.

Taking the Ferry between Petkum and Ditzum

The motor ferry between Ditzum and Petkum connects the two villages in around 20 minutes. It carries pedestrians, cyclists and up to three cars. For arrival and day-trip planning, car parking spaces are available at the Petkum ferry landing; the nearest bus stop is about a ten-minute walk away. Depending on your travel plans, the ferry connection can therefore be considered as an excursion in its own right, as part of a cycling tour or as a link between two destinations.

The shelter at the Petkum/Ditzum ferry port is also one of the noteworthy details on site. It is located near the Unterems nature reserve and displays the coats of arms of both villages, the redshank and pied avocet, bird species threatened in the region, as well as motifs of the surrounding landscape. At the old Petkum sluice, there is another characteristic feature: The old Petkum sluice has been transformed into a jewel.

Church, Organ and Historical Details

Petkum Church essentially dates from the 13th century. Between 1470 and 1480, a Late Gothic polygonal choir was added on the eastern side, and the church was renovated around 1750. The interior contains a Bentheim-type baptismal font from the first half of the 13th century and a sandstone relief from the late 15th century known as the “Petkum Epitaph”. St. Antonius Church in Emden-Petkum is also home to the Grotian organ, an instrument from the 17th century.

These historical details give a stay in Petkum a cultural dimension that can be combined well with a landscape or ferry itinerary. If you want to take different interests within your travel group into account, you can devote one day more to the Deichvorland floodplain and the route, and another to the church and the local details. When choosing a holiday apartment, therefore, the desired focus of the stay is particularly important: nature, cycling route, ferry trip or culture can form the main focus.

Further Pages for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also visit Twixlum, Jarßum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Emden, Logumer Vorwerk and Wybelsum. This allows you to continue your search for a suitable holiday destination with additional destinations and different travel ideas.

To the higher-level travel overview: Emden.