Jarßum between terp and Lower Ems

Jarßum combines its location on a terp in the coastal marshes with the natural landscape of the Lower Ems and a clearly visible dike history. The village lies around 6.5 kilometers from the city of Emden, with the Ems to the south and Widdelswehr to the east. The landscape and local history give a stay here a different focus from the urban cultural offerings in the wider destination of Emden.

The Lower Ems: protected area and marshland

The “Lower Ems” nature reserve forms part of the “Lower Ems and Outer Ems” FFH site 002 (DE 2507-331) and is therefore part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Salt marshes, tidal creeks and extensive river mudflats characterize the protected area. The mudflats are up to 250 meters wide and provide a habitat for numerous highly specialized and endangered plant and animal species.

The 200-hectare Petkum outer dike foreland on the Lower Ems extends from Jarßum to Gandersum. By ordinance dated May 30, 2017, it was combined with adjacent areas in the district of Leer to form the “Lower Ems” nature reserve. The combination of marshland, tidal creeks and river mudflats makes this natural landscape a distinctive feature of a stay in Jarßum.

Routes with different access periods

Pedestrians and cyclists can travel year-round either in front of or behind the dike between Gandersum and Emden’s outer harbor. The outer-dike path across the Petkum dike foreland has different access dates: it is open from July 1 to September 30. The route between the Emden districts of Petkum and Jarßum was also previously open only during this period. If you are planning walks or bike rides, it is helpful to distinguish between year-round use and seasonal access.

Church, church terp and dike history

Jarßum’s small, single-nave church was built in 1797 on a terp overlooking the dike. Its simple interior was extensively renovated in 1969. Jarßum’s church terp is listed as an ensemble comprising the church, church terp and cemetery, bringing together several features of the local landscape in one place.

The long history of the coastal landscape is also tangible at the Stackdeich: in Jarßum, five dike lines dating from the Middle Ages to the present run one above another, one behind another and alongside one another. This spatial layering gives the history of the dikes a concrete connection to the village. Those interested in how the coastal landscape has evolved will find another distinct topic here alongside the natural landscape.

Jarßum has a centrally located playground within the village.

Emden as a distinct cultural focus

The wider destination of Emden offers additional cultural attractions. The Kunsthalle mainly presents Classical Modernist art and has an associated art school. Dat Otto Huus documents the career of Emden comedian Otto Waalkes: across two floors, it displays photos and memorabilia, films, well-known props from movies and tours, as well as awards and prizes. The Bunkermuseum Emden is housed in an authentic bunker and traces the period from the beginning of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden’s postwar reconstruction.

Choose the right focus for your stay

When choosing your accommodation, you can first consider which aspect of your trip you want to focus on. Jarßum brings together its terp, coastal marshes, the Lower Ems and dike history; in the wider destination of Emden, art, museums and urban history add to the range of attractions. The approximately 6.5 kilometers between Jarßum and the city of Emden provide a sense of distance. Consider whether you would prefer to focus your stay on the landscape and dike paths or on Emden’s cultural institutions.

Discover more destinations: Petkum, Emden, Logumer Vorwerk, Twixlum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Wybelsum.

Back to the main travel overview: Emden.