Discover Ostrhauderfehn: Church, Mill and Wiekentour

Ostrhauderfehn can be experienced in a variety of ways: in Potshausen, the church and its altarpiece tell the story of the village, while the Wiekentour links fen canals, drawbridges, Lake Idasee and the moorland. Idafehn adds a chapter of milling history, and several water sports are available at Lake Idasee. You can shape your stay around culture, a route or activities on the water.

Church and milling history

The oldest church in Ostrhauderfehn stands in Potshausen. The new church building was constructed in 1865 and consecrated on 18 March 1866. The church has an altarpiece dating from 1647, which comes from its predecessor. Two different periods of history therefore come together here: the painting from the earlier church and the 19th-century building. Those interested in architectural history can take in both, rather than associating the church with just a single date.

The Idafehn mill also tells a story of change. It was built in 1891 and rebuilt by the municipality of Ostrhauderfehn. In 2001, it was completed as a Dutch-style gallery windmill with a warehouse. The church and mill thus offer different starting points for a cultural stay: sacred architectural history on the one hand, and a mill with a documented history of construction and rebuilding on the other.

Fen canals, moorland and water sports

To the north of Potshausen, the Leda lowlands and their open marshland shape the landscape. The Wiekentour offers another way to explore the area: this well-signposted, 29 km circular cycle route follows Ostrhauderfehn’s ruler-straight fen canals. It passes Petrus Church, the Idafehn mill, white drawbridges and Lake Idasee, before continuing into the moorland. You can explore the route by bicycle, on foot or by car.

The Moorerlebnisroute is a longer regional connection. It is around 100 km long and links Ostrhauderfehn, Rhauderfehn, Barßel, Saterland and Esterwegen. The different lengths highlight the contrast with the 29 km Wiekentour: one is a circular cycle route along the fen canals, while the other connects several places in the region.

If you would rather focus on a specific water sport than follow a route, the Idasee leisure complex in Idafehn offers water skiing, wakeboarding, monoskiing and kneeboarding. Alongside church and milling history, you can choose between a signposted tour and activities on the water to suit your travel interests.

Cultural attractions in the wider destination of Leer

The wider destination of Leer offers additional cultural attractions in their own right. Schloss Evenburg is a cultural monument of significance beyond the region and comprises a castle, park and outer bailey. Since May 2014, it has been open with a permanent exhibition on the life and household of an aristocratic family in the 19th century; it also serves as a centre for garden culture.

Leer’s old town also has historical points of interest: Haus Samson, with its Amsterdam-style gable, has adorned the town since 1643. Public guided tours of the town include sights such as the old town hall, the historic weigh house and Haus Samson; the tour lasts 1.5 hours. For a closer look, the Leer Local History Museum explores East Frisian domestic culture and local shipping. The Former Jewish School in Leer is a memorial and meeting place run by the district of Leer.

Other topics are covered by the Bünting Tea Museum, which spans two floors and explores the cultivation, production and preparation of tea, as well as the history of East Frisia’s favourite drink, and the Leer Telecommunications Museum. There, visitors can experience 150 years of communications history through rare exhibits and working equipment. Leer’s museum harbour is open to the public free of charge all year round and is operated and maintained by the Schipperklottje.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests

When looking for accommodation in Ostrhauderfehn, you can start with the kind of day you have in mind: are you especially interested in church and milling history, the Wiekentour or water sports at Lake Idasee? You can also include attractions in Leer as a separate part of the wider destination in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Uplengen, Weener, Brinkum, Bingum, Filsum, Rhauderfehn, Jemgum.

Back to the main travel overview: Leer.