Emden: Art, Canals and Maritime History
Accommodation in Emden
Emden can be explored from several perspectives: art and East Frisian history sit alongside maritime collections, museum ships and trips along the city’s canals. Those looking for a mix of culture and water-based experiences on holiday will find a range of options – from historic book collections to canal cruises. When choosing a holiday apartment in Emden, you can consider whether you want to focus your trip mainly on art, city history, shipping or activities on the water.
Der Hafen von Emden mit dem Fruchtsafttanker Carlos Fischer.
Photo: SteKrueBe via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Art, Collections and Special Stories
The Kunsthalle Emden mainly presents art from the classical modern period and has an affiliated art school. Dat Otto Huus offers a very different perspective on a well-known personality: it documents the career of Emden comedian Otto Waalkes. Across two floors, visitors can see photos and mementos from his life, his films, famous props from movies and tours, as well as awards and prizes. Emden therefore offers a range of cultural highlights, from classical modern art to an exhibition devoted to comedy and film.
The East Frisian State Museum Emden presents an art and cultural history collection considered unique in north-west Germany. Visitors can explore art and history across around 2,600 square metres. The collection includes the Emden Armoury, with 400-year-old swords, matchlock muskets and suits of armour that reflect the city’s former armaments. Those interested in Emden’s history will find tangible evidence of the city’s past here alongside works of art. An observation platform 38 metres above the ground, directly below the tower’s carillon, offers views across the city and surrounding countryside.
History, Church and Changing Exhibitions
The Emden Bunker Museum is housed in an authentic bunker on Holzsägerstraße. It traces the period from the beginning of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden’s post-war reconstruction. Informative guided tours are offered to groups in various formats, including outside regular opening hours. The Neue Kirche Emden is considered the oldest Reformed preaching church in northern Germany and is a venue for cultural events.
The Johannes a Lasco Library was founded in the Reformed congregation in 1559 and is considered East Frisia’s oldest library. It preserves a valuable historic book collection, an encyclopaedic collection spanning all fields of scholarship, and the Emden Bible. It also serves as a venue for concerts and conferences. The Emden Art Association is based in the De Vrouw Johanna Mill, an open meeting place for visual artists. Regular special exhibitions with a range of themes are presented there. The International Film Festival Emden-Norderney is also among Germany’s internationally recognised film festivals.
Ships and Water-Based Experiences in Emden
At the Ratsdelft, you can encounter various reminders of the history of shipping. The museum lightship Amrumbank has been moored there in the heart of the city since 2 August 1984 and is open to the public. As a museum of maritime history, it houses the oldest intact lightship engine room. The lifeboat cruiser Georg Breusing is also moored at Emden’s Ratsdelft. As a maritime monument, its nautical equipment, engine rooms and crew quarters are particularly worth seeing. The herring logger AE 7-Stadt Emden has been a museum ship at the Ratsdelft since spring 1995 and offers a glimpse into the history of the once-large herring fishery.
Those who want to discover Emden from the water can explore the city’s canals in a number of ways. On bookable canal cruises, the MB “Schreyershoek” travels through the canals; the cruise starts and ends at the Ratsdelft. Emden’s many canals can also be explored by canoe or pedal boat. For a trip focused on shipping and water activities, these experiences offer different perspectives from a visit to the art and history collections.
Cycling Route and an Excursion on a Miniature Railway
Cycling can also be part of a stay in Emden: the Friesenroute Rad up Pad runs through twelve municipalities in the Aurich district and through the city of Emden. It connects the Geest, marshland and moorland and passes many sights along the way. The different landscapes give the route its own character. If you would like to include a longer bike ride in your holiday plans, the Friesenroute is a specific option to consider.
For a trip with children, when a ride on a miniature train is an appealing activity in its own right, the Emden Miniature Steam Railway offers another option. From April to September, visitors can ride around the site along approximately 750 metres of track.
If you would also like to consider other places when planning your holiday, you can find Wybelsum, Twixlum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Petkum, Logumer Vorwerk and Jarßum here.
For the main travel overview: Emden.
