Hohenkirchen: Church, Wangermeer and Experiences

Hohenkirchen combines cultural and historical discoveries with experiences centred on water and movement. The late Romanesque Church of St. Sixtus and Sinicius offers a very different focus from the island in Wangermeer lake, which can be reached via a long promenade bridge. This gives you different themes to focus on when planning your holiday, depending on your interests.

Church, Art and Pilgrimage Route

The Church of St. Sixtus and Sinicius is a late Romanesque granite ashlar church. According to a document, the church was already standing on a 6.50-metre-high dwelling mound in 1143. Its distinctive features include the Ludwig Münstermann altar, dating from 1620/28, a baptismal font from 1260 and a Joachim Kayser organ from 1694/99. The different periods in which these works were created also make the church a place where several centuries of architectural and art history come together.

Concerts are held in the church during the summer months. The Wangerland Pilgrimage Route runs from St. Mary’s Church in Schillig to the Church of St. Sixtus and Sinicius in Hohenkirchen. Architecture and music are thus complemented by a route whose described section connects the two churches.

Wangermeer Lake and Activities

A large island in Wangermeer lake can be reached on foot or by bicycle via a 325-metre-long promenade bridge. The bridge’s length alone makes crossing it something to factor into your day’s plans; you can also choose whether to walk or cycle across. Various hiking trails around Wangermeer lake also invite you to take longer walks and enjoy varied views of the lake’s natural surroundings.

The Buhl Activity Park offers a different kind of active experience, with soccer golf, e-skating, canoeing, land sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and blobbing. The soccer golf course has 18 holes ranging from 25 to 90 metres in length; numerous obstacles and the hilly landscape shape the course. The range of hole lengths is a useful point of comparison for anyone interested in this type of game. Introductory stand-up paddleboarding courses are aimed at beginners and teach basic paddling and steering techniques.

For children up to 12 years old, the Nordsee-Spielstadt Wangerland is another option: this covered, all-weather play city covers 5,000 square metres. Attractions include various carousels, a roller coaster and bumper cars, as well as a large sandpit with electric diggers and a climbing area. The activities described therefore vary considerably, from water sports and soccer golf to rides and indoor play facilities.

More to Discover in the Wider Wangerland Area

The wider Wangerland destination has a range of other themes to explore beyond Hohenkirchen. In Minsen, the Wangerland National Park House offers around 250 square metres of exhibition space, with multimedia ways to experience and discover the Wadden Sea. Renewable energy and climate protection are also among the exhibition topics. If you plan a visit, check the latest visitor information beforehand.

Other regional highlights include the coast and local collections: the beach in Horumersiel is a green beach with soft grass right beside the North Sea, making it an alternative to a sandy beach. The Shell Museum in Hooksiel displays specimens ranging from tiny snails to shells larger than the palm of your hand. These offer different reasons to explore Wangerland, from taking in the coastal landscape to discovering the details of a collection.

The bronze sculpture “Seewiefken” by Karin Mennen stands in Norderaltendeich, near Minsen-Förrien. It is the symbol of Wangerland and also appears on the municipal coat of arms. Nature is another regional highlight at Wangermeer lake: many bird species, including rare ones, have settled there, and the lake is also home to a wide variety of fish.

For longer rides around Wangerland, the junction-point map lets you plan cycling routes to suit your preferences. The network includes more than 200 kilometres of flat paths; for up-to-date planning, it is advisable to consult the local map. The inland lakes Wangermeer and Hooksmeer also offer water sports that are independent of the tides. The specific activities available and how they are organised may vary seasonally.

The themes described offer different starting points for choosing the right setting for your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Jever, Friederikensiel, Zetel, Bockhorn, Bockhornerfeld, Schortens, Oldorf, Minsen

For the overview of the wider region: Friesland.