Discover Emden: Art, canals and maritime history

Emden offers a range of options for a stay: art and local history, maritime collections, cultural events and waterways. You can choose what to include in your itinerary based on the museums and activities that interest you most.

Art, museums and local history

The Kunsthalle Emden mainly presents Classical Modern art and has an affiliated art school. Dat Otto Huus is dedicated to the career of Emden comedian Otto Waalkes. On two floors, you can see photos and mementos from his life, films, well-known props from movies and tours, as well as his awards and prizes.

The Ostfriesisches Landesmuseum Emden brings together art and cultural history; its collection is described as unique in the northwest. Visitors can explore art and history across around 2,600 square metres. The museum also includes the Emder Rüstkammer. Swords, matchlock muskets and armour dating back 400 years reflect the city's former armaments. An observation platform directly below the tower's carillon stands 38 metres above ground and offers views across the city and surrounding countryside.

The Bunkermuseum Emden is housed in an authentic bunker on Holzsägerstraße. The exhibition traces the period from the beginning of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden's post-war reconstruction. Groups can choose from a range of informative guided tours, including options outside regular opening hours. As arrangements may change, it is best to confirm group tours in advance.

Religious and academic institutions also contribute to the city's cultural life. The Neue Kirche Emden is considered the oldest Reformed preaching church in northern Germany and hosts cultural events. The Johannes a Lasco Library was founded in the Reformed congregation in 1559 and is considered the oldest library in East Frisia. It preserves a valuable historic book collection, an encyclopaedic collection covering all fields of science, and the Emden Bible. It also serves as a venue for concerts and conferences.

Ships and maritime history

Several museum ships at the Ratsdelft bring different aspects of maritime history to life. The lightship Amrumbank has been moored there since 2 August 1984 and is open to the public. Visiting options may vary by season; check the information for your travel dates. As a maritime history museum, the Amrumbank has the oldest intact lightship engine room.

The herring logger AE 7-Stadt Emden has been a museum ship at the Emder Ratsdelft since spring 1995, offering a look back at the once-thriving herring fishery. On the rescue cruiser Georg Breusing, the navigational equipment, engine rooms and crew quarters are particularly worth seeing. The three ships each focus on a different area: lightships, fishing and sea rescue.

Canals and routes

You can explore Emden's canals from the water by canoe or pedal boat. On bookable canal tours, the MB “Schreyershoek” travels through the city's canals; both the start and end point are at the Ratsdelft. As schedules may change, check departure times before your visit.

For a cycling trip, the Friesenroute Rad up Pad runs through the city of Emden and twelve municipalities in the district of Aurich. It connects geest, marshland and moorland and passes many sights along the way. This offers a different view of the region from a trip through the canals: the route links diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. The Emder Miniaturdampfeisenbahn offers seasonal rides on miniature trains around a model railway layout. From April to September, visitors can travel along a route of around 750 metres.

Cultural events and travel planning

The International Film Festival Emden-Norderney is one of Germany's internationally recognised film festivals. The programme and dates vary from year to year; check the latest information if you want to plan your trip around it. The Neue Kirche and the Johannes a Lasco Library also host cultural events, concerts and conferences, offering further opportunities to engage with the city's cultural life.

When looking for a hotel in Emden, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: art and collections, maritime history, or activities along the canals and routes.

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