Ditzum: Harbour, Sluice and Maritime History

Ditzum lies at the mouth of the Ems. Restored houses, the historic sluice and a colourful fleet of fishing boats shape the picturesque village. The harbour and its buildings reveal the maritime history of the village in different ways.

Sluice, Harbour and Craftsmanship

The sluice structure in Ditzum is still operational and is considered unique in East Frisia. The Granatdarre also stands by the harbour: built in 1919, it is used to dry bycatch for animal feed. Bültjer Werft is based in the harbour area and is one of the last wooden boatyards in Germany. Together, these places offer insights into sluice history, fishing and boatbuilding, without limiting their themes to a single building.

Today’s Ditzum mill is also one of the village’s remarkable technical monuments. It consists of old and new components and is considered a unique technical monument. The mill offers guided tours; check the current arrangements in advance.

Maritime Collections

The Ditzum Bottle Ship Museum displays steamships, fishing boats and sailing ships in bottles. Some of the ships on display are more than 100 years old. The museum is considered Germany’s largest bottle ship museum. In addition to the ships in bottles, the collection includes other maritime items, such as engine-room telegraphs, diving bells and lead diving boots. The selection of exhibits may change.

The Harbour and Fishing Museum also focuses on the maritime history of the village. Its fishing exhibition features photographs and typical exhibits from the Ems fishing industry. Temporary exhibitions also cover fishing and the history of the harbour and sluice. If you want to see a particular exhibition, check in advance what is currently on display.

Ferry and Boat Trips

The Ditzum–Petkum ferry connects Ditzum with Petkum across the Ems. It runs several times a day, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. Passengers on foot and cyclists can travel on the ferry, which can also carry up to three passenger cars. Check the timetable when planning your trip.

Trips to the North Sea island of Borkum, the Dutch town of Delfzijl and Leer depart from Ditzum’s outer landing stage. Timetables are seasonal and may change, so it is worth checking the latest dates. The Ditzum Tourist Information Centre sells tickets for boat trips as well as detailed cycling maps and travel guides. If needed, check in advance which offers are currently available.

A canoe trip with Paddel und Pedal offers a way to explore Ditzum and Jemgum from the water. Check the details with the provider before travelling. There are therefore different ways to explore the Ems: trips from the outer landing stage and a canoe trip.

Art Days and Mill Tours

The Ditzum Art Days are generally held every year on the last weekend in October; the exact date may vary. If you want to plan your stay around the event, check the latest dates. The mill tours offer another way to discover a Ditzum building with a technical history; check the current arrangements in advance for these as well.

Further Historical Highlights in the Wider Destination of Jemgum

The wider destination of Jemgum also has its own historical highlights. The main village of Jemgum was already an important market town with urban features in the 15th century. The former harbour was built on an old tidal creek that ran inland from the Ems; today, the marketplace is located there. The buildings mentioned include Alba House, dating from 1576, and the former weighing house, dating from 1589. The church in Jemgum was built in the 13th century as the church of the Johanniterkommende, a commandery of the Order of St John.

The mill in Jemgum is another historical point of interest: it is a gallery-style Dutch windmill dating from 1756. The Sielhus was once the sluice keeper’s home; the Jemgum Heritage and Cultural Association regularly holds events there. As no current events calendar is available, check the dates in advance. Using exhibits and supplementary oral and written information, the Jemgum Milk and Dairy Museum explains the links between milk production, processing and consumption.

Discover more destinations: Pogum, Critzum, Hatzum

Return to the main travel overview: Jemgum.