Hatzum: Village Mound, Church History and Cycling Routes

Hatzum’s historic center is located on a village mound; St. Sebastian’s Church dates from the 13th century, and cycling routes run through the municipality of Jemgum. The historic center, St. Sebastian’s Church and the routes each offer a different focus: you can shape your stay around local history or see Hatzum as one stop on a cycling tour. The Melkhus also has a connection to the International Dollard Route. When planning your accommodation and daily itinerary together, you can first decide whether history, cycling or both will shape your trip.

Local history on the village mound

Hatzum’s historic center is located on a village mound. A neighboring farm complex with a former moat is also located on it and has been listed as a protected monument. The history of settlement and protected historic buildings are therefore among the defining themes of the village.

St. Sebastian’s Church in Hatzum was built in the 13th century and was originally a cruciform church. The oldest of the old gravestones at the church dates from 1505. The building’s design and the gravestones thus mark two different points in history. Archaeology also adds to the picture: an excavation in Hatzum in 1996 concerned an Early Iron Age open settlement. The village’s history thus extends beyond the medieval church and old gravestones to an earlier period.

Cycling tours and regional stories

The Dollard Route passes through Hatzum, where it leads back to the dike, then heads south toward Jemgum. For tour planning, this route provides a clear point of reference between the road through the village, the dike and the southern direction. As routes may change, check the current route before setting off.

The interactive “Kiek an” circular cycling route through the municipality of Jemgum includes the section “Hatzum/Nendorp/Oldendorp – Land ‘satt’.” Along the cycling route, you can listen to stories at steles as audio files via QR codes. The two cycling routes thus offer different focuses: the Dollard Route passes through Hatzum and continues toward Jemgum; “Kiek an” adds audio stories at steles.

The Melkhus in Hatzum is also connected to the International Dollard Route. A regional development plan from 2025 described it as the only Melkhus on the route at that time.

Another look at Jemgum

The wider destination of Jemgum has its own historical highlights. Jemgum’s former harbor developed at an ancient tidal creek that led inland from the Ems; the marketplace is now located there. The main village of Jemgum was already an important market town with urban features in the 15th century. Historic buildings there include the Alba House from 1576, the former weigh house from 1589 and a gallery-style Dutch windmill from 1756.

Jemgum’s church was also built in the 13th century, as the church of the Johanniterkommende (a commandery of the Order of St. John). The Sielhus is the former home of the sluice keeper. The Jemgum Milk and Dairy Museum offers another perspective on regional history: using exhibits and additional oral and written information, it explains the connections between milk production, processing and consumption. Thus, alongside the history of the harbor, market and buildings, everyday and economic history are also central to Jemgum.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Critzum, Pogum and Ditzum.

Back to the wider travel overview: Jemgum.