Wybelsum: Warf settlement, church and cycling route

In Wybelsum, an old Warf settlement, a church steeped in history and a polder landscape meet a cycling route through the village. The village has existed as an old Warf settlement since around 1000 AD and was originally established on the slightly elevated northern riverbank. At the same time, the church, landscape and cycling circuit offer different points of interest to help you plan your trip.

Warf settlement and Old Church

The Old Church in Wybelsum was built in 1700. Its furnishings link the history of the village with another historic place: the pulpit, communion table and benches come from the former church in Geerdswehr. Its village was left to the Ems floods in 1699. The furnishings thus tell the story not only of the church itself, but also of the former village.

Another notable item is the Vocalion from 1894, a large pressure-wind harmonium. It may be the only instrument of its kind in Europe. The Vocalion adds a musical dimension to the historic furnishings. Those interested in historic church interiors and their furnishings will find several different topics to explore here: the year it was built, the origins of the furniture and the rare instrument.

Polder landscape and cross-beacon

Numerous wetland habitats and diked spoil-disposal areas lie on the southern fields of the Wybelsum polder, parallel to the dike. The spoil-disposal areas were created as compensatory sites for projects by the Lower Saxony Ports Authority/N-Ports. Wetland habitats, the dike and diked areas sit side by side, each shaping a different aspect of this landscape.

A prominent structure in this setting is the Wybelsum cross-beacon. The concrete tower is 18.9 metres high, has a red-and-white band and was built in 1969/70. Its functional, technical design provides a contrast to the wetland habitats and the historic church. Its height, red-and-white band and construction date also make the cross-beacon an interesting architectural subject.

Wybelsum on the cycling route

The Larrelter cycling circuit passes through Logumer Vorwerk to Wybelsum, heads towards Bartshausen am Knockster Tief and continues to the “Pünte”. In the Wybelsum/Larrelter polder, the route runs alongside the wind farm. This circuit links place names and landscape features to provide cyclists with a clear sense of direction.

Culture and water activities in the wider travel destination of Emden

The wider travel destination of Emden offers additional cultural attractions. Kunsthalle Emden mainly presents art from the Classical Modern period and has an affiliated art school. Dat Otto Huus documents the career of Emden comedian Otto Waalkes. Across two floors, it displays photos and mementos from his life, films, well-known props from movies and tours, as well as awards and prizes.

The Bunkermuseum Emden is housed in an authentic bunker on Holzsägerstraße. It traces the period from the rise of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden’s post-war reconstruction. Informative guided tours in various formats are available for groups, including outside regular opening hours; it is best to check the arrangements in advance. The city’s canals offer a different perspective and can be explored from the water by canoe or pedal boat. Bookable canal trips on the MB “Schreyershoek” pass through the city canals and start and end at Ratsdelft. Check the timetable when planning a specific trip.

When choosing where to stay, you can decide what to focus on: would you like Wybelsum, with its church, polder landscape and Larrelter cycling circuit, to be the main attraction, or would you also like to include the art, museums and water activities in the wider travel destination of Emden? This choice can give your accommodation search a clear direction.

Discover more destinations

Logumer Vorwerk, Twixlum, Emden, Petkum, Hilmarsum settlement, Jarßum

Go to the wider travel overview: Emden.