Discover Bunde: Windmill, Church and Dollart

Bunde offers several starting points for planning a stay: the history of the Bunder Mill, the Protestant Reformed church in the town centre, and the historic landmarks in the Dollart Nature and Culture Park. Visitors interested in architectural history will find different points of interest here from those who want to explore the park by bike or experience the Wymeer moorland. The Dollart Museum is another cultural attraction in the town.

Windmill and church: architectural history in Bunde

The Bunder Mill was built in 1869 and extended in 1911 into a four-storey gallery Dutch windmill with an octagonal cap and a brick base. The two dates mark different stages in its construction history: the original building was followed by an extension that gave it the form described here. The windmill is therefore a point of interest in its own right for anyone interested in historic buildings during their stay.

The Protestant Reformed Church of Bunde, formerly known as St Martin's Church, stands in the town centre. It is one of the most noteworthy cruciform churches in East Frisia. The nave dates from the early 13th century, while the other sections were built in several phases. Romano-Gothic stylistic elements can be seen in the transept and the rectangular choir. Information about the church thus combines its former name and location with various details about its architectural history.

Historic landmarks in the Dollart Nature and Culture Park

Old dikes, windmills, dike sluices and other historic landmarks are signposted in the Dollart Nature and Culture Park. Visitors can explore and see them by bike. This offers a different way of engaging with the area's history from visiting individual buildings in the town centre. The Dollart Museum is located at Rheiderlandstraße 3 in Bunde. Including it in your plans lets you distinguish this specific location from the signposted cycling route through the park.

More things to do in the municipality of Bunde

There are also activities beyond the town centre in the municipality of Bunde. Ditzumerverlaat is home to a paddle-and-pedal station. From there, for example, you can take a trip to Ditzum and return by bike. This combination of paddling and cycling is a distinct tour suggestion; it is not the same activity as exploring the historic landmarks in the Dollart Nature and Culture Park.

The Wymeer landscape conservation area is primarily dedicated to preserving and developing a biologically active raised bog habitat, as well as improving and expanding the habitats of endangered bog plants. A boardwalk lets visitors experience the bog all the way to damp areas with dry feet, without disturbing its sensitive vegetation. The path therefore combines a close-up experience of the bog with the area's conservation aims. When planning your visit, you can distinguish this focus on nature and bogland from the cultural and historical attractions in Bunde.

Cultural attractions in the wider destination of Leer

Other places in the wider destination of Leer add to the range of cultural attractions. The Amsterdam-style gabled House Samson has adorned Leer’s old town since 1643. Evenburg Castle in Leer is a cultural monument of regional importance, comprising the castle, park and outer bailey. Since May 2014, it has been open as a centre for garden culture and with a permanent exhibition on the life and business of an aristocratic family in the 19th century.

The museums in Leer also focus on different subjects: the Former Jewish School in Leer is a memorial and meeting place run by the district of Leer. The local history museum explores East Frisian domestic culture and local shipping. The Bünting Tea Museum covers the cultivation, production and preparation of tea on two floors, as well as the history of East Frisia’s favourite drink. These attractions are specifically in Leer and complement the sights described in Bunde with distinct destinations in the wider travel area.

When choosing a focus for your stay, you can weigh up your interest in architectural history, cycling explorations and moorland. Keep the locations in mind: the paddle-and-pedal station is in Ditzumerverlaat, within the municipality of Bunde, while the museums mentioned and Evenburg Castle are in Leer.

Discover more destinations: Dollart, Bunderhee, Boen, Weener, Hesel, Holtland, Leer, Rhauderfehn.

Back to the main travel overview: Leer.