Aurich: Churches, Mills and City History

City history, neoclassical architecture and historic mills are among the things you can discover in Aurich. There is also an energy exhibition and a range of excursions. Nearby, Tannenhausen adds archaeological heritage and a bathing lake to the picture.

City History and Churches in Aurich

The Historical Museum is located in the heart of Aurich’s old town, in the former princely chancellery. It presents Aurich’s history as a city of residence. A striking historical exhibit is the late Gothic Ihlow altar in St. Lambert’s Church: the Antwerp altarpiece was carved by the Lukasgilde between 1510 and 1515. In 1529, during the Reformation, it was brought to Aurich from Ihlow Monastery along with the organ.

The architectural history of St. Lambert’s Church can also be dated. The Evangelical Lutheran church was rebuilt from 1833 to 1835 to designs by Aurich master builder Kommerzienrat Conrad Bernhard Meyer. It is a Neoclassical church. The Reformed Church of Aurich was built earlier, from 1812 to 1814, to designs by Aurich architect C. B. Meyer, and is the only Neoclassical centrally planned church in the Weser-Ems region.

The Historical Museum offers tours of the city and museum led by costumed guides portraying notable figures from Aurich’s cultural history. Ask the operator about current availability. You can also experience an East Frisian tea ceremony there, with stories and myths about tea; check with the museum for current arrangements.

Mills and Cycling

Aurich’s Stiftsmühle is a historic windmill and a landmark visible from far away. On a tour, you can look out over Aurich from the gallery. The mill is also a waymarker on the Aurich Mill Tour: the 32-kilometre route passes right by it and takes in all five of Aurich’s historic mills. Check route conditions before setting out.

Energy Exhibition and Projection

The ENERGIE ERLEBNIS ZENTRUM Ostfriesland in Aurich presents the interactive ENERGIE ZUKUNFT exhibition. It explores different aspects of energy in a playful and informative way. In the ENERGIE TURM, visitors experience a 360-degree projection about the power of energy. The exhibition and projection bring the subject to life in different ways.

Nearby: Tannenhausen

The Tannenhausen megalithic tomb comprises megalithic grave structures of the Funnel Beaker culture, dating back around 5,000 years. They were destroyed during Christianisation and the associated construction of churches.

Visitors can bathe and swim at Tannenhausen bathing lake; the DLRG lifeguard service is responsible for safety. Check local conditions before your visit. There is also a fenced-off area by the lake specifically for dogs, with its own entrance. Dog owners can relax there with their dogs.

Excursion by the Harbour

The historic MS Stadt Aurich is based at the Aurich sports and leisure harbour on the Ems-Jade Canal and offers excursion trips. If a trip is important to your plans, ask the operator about current sailings.

Discover more destinations: Krummhörn, Hage, Ihlow, Wrisse, Berumbur, Rechtsupweg, Großefehn, Leezdorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Aurich.