Funnix: Brick Church, Sculpture Garden and Cycling

Brick, steel and a framed view of the vast East Frisian sky make Funnix an interesting cultural destination. The brick-built St. Florian’s Church dates from the 14th century and stands on a high terp. The Funnix Sculpture Garden lies directly opposite. This brings historic church architecture and contemporary steel sculpture together side by side. Their proximity connects architectural history with changing garden exhibitions and gives Funnix a distinctive cultural profile.

Church architecture and organ history

With its brick architecture and 14th-century construction, St. Florian’s is a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in historic religious buildings. The church’s high terp is as much a part of its setting as its building material; it refers to the elevated site on which the building stands. There is also the organ: it is the last organ made by the East Frisian organ builder Johann Friedrich Constabel. The church thus brings two different aspects into focus: its architectural history and a special chapter in the history of East Frisian organ building.

Changing exhibitions at the sculpture garden

Exhibitions at the Funnix Sculpture Garden change each year. This format has been in place since 2007 and features works by national and international artists. At the same time, the garden is dedicated to contemporary steel sculpture, bringing the works together in a garden setting. Works by local steel sculptor Leonard Wübbena make up the largest part of the collection. The changing exhibitions and the focus on Wübbena offer two different ways to engage with the art: you can focus on the works currently on display or consider the collection as a whole and the artist who has shaped it.

One striking example is the walk-through Corten steel sculpture “Marschblick.” An open window frame offers a view of the flat East Frisian landscape and the wide sky. Its stair-like form makes the view a spatial experience: you see the landscape not merely as a backdrop, but within a deliberately framed opening. This sets “Marschblick” apart from a sculpture whose impact comes solely from its material and form; the surrounding expanse is explicitly part of the subject when you view it.

Cycling to Funnix

The Jan-Schüpp cycling path continues via Altfunnixsiel to Funnix and follows the Harle for some of its route. Near Funnix, you can take a round-trip detour of about 2.8 km from the cycling path to the sculpture garden. If you are travelling by bike, you can think of the stretch along the Harle and the possible detour to the garden as two separate parts of your ride. Check current route conditions and signage before setting off.

When looking for accommodation in Funnix, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like your stay to centre on culture and art, or would you like to include the cycling path in your plans? This will help you guide your search according to your own travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Buttforde.

See the main travel overview: Wittmund.