Discover Westerholt: Church, organ and wind farm
Accommodation in Westerholt
Westerholt combines church and regional history with cycling and a distinctive technical landmark: the Norderland wind farm. The church, the history of the find in Terheide within the municipality, and the hiking trails offer different starting points for planning your trip. This lets you focus on cultural discoveries and time outdoors.
Church, organ and the history of the find
Westerholt Church preserves remnants of medieval paintings on its south wall. Its history also has a defensive side: for a time, the church was fortified, surrounded by a rampart and moat, and protected the western border of the area ruled by the Harlingerland regional chiefs. The surviving paintings and its former defensive function offer insights into different aspects of the church’s history.
The history of the organ is also well documented. The organ in Westerholt Peace Church was built from 1840 to 1842 by Esens organ builder Arnold Rohlfs. It has one manual, an attached pedal and eight stops. It is largely preserved and was restored by Martin Haspelmath in 1988/89. Its construction, design and restoration mark different stages in its history.
The history of the municipality also includes a find from Terheide: on 15 January 1872, Jacob Behrend Braams of Nenndorf discovered an earthenware vessel containing two gold capsules beside Auricher StraĂźe. The gold bowls from Terheide are interpreted as Bronze Age drinking vessels; their use in sacrificial rites is possible. The find adds an archaeological perspective to the church and building history, while its interpretation deliberately remains open.
Norderland wind farm and views
The Norderland wind farm is located in the Hammrich area of the municipalities of Nenndorf, Westerholt and Schweindorf. A total of 35 wind turbines, with a combined capacity of 52.5 megawatts, began operating there in mid-1998. The wind farm thus links the Hammrich landscape with a specific chapter in the region’s energy history.
A wind turbine intended for visitors has an internal spiral staircase and a glazed viewing gallery below the machine house. The gallery is 68 metres high. In good weather, the view stretches from there to the East Frisian Islands and across the East Frisian peninsula. Weather conditions are part of the experience, making the view a special feature of your plans, though one that can vary.
Cycling and trails in Holtriem
Westerholt has a well-developed cycling network. Another option for active days is the approximately 48-kilometre Holtriem hiking trail, which links existing farm tracks to create a circular route through Holtriem’s scenic areas. The route is well signposted. Families with children can explore sections suited to the children’s abilities.
If you are planning a trip with children, you can choose a section based on their abilities. The approximate total length describes the entire circular route, so it is also important to consider the option of exploring just part of it when planning your day. The cycling network and hiking trail offer different kinds of outings; there is no need to combine them into a single tour.
More to explore in the wider Wittmund destination
In the wider Wittmund destination, the Peldemühle adds to the region’s cultural attractions. Built in 1741 for hulling barley, it includes a residential building and a barn and is considered the oldest single-storey gallery Dutch windmill in northwest Germany. In the Peldemühle’s historic bakehouse, the process of turning grain into bread is demonstrated.
The Jan-SchĂĽpp Fahrradpad is also part of the wider Wittmund destination. It runs in part along the Harle, the old shipping route between Carolinensiel and Wittmund, and you can start or finish it anywhere along the way. If you plan to cycle this route, check the route conditions beforehand.
Find the right accommodation
When looking for accommodation in Westerholt, you can shape your trip around your interests: church history and the organ, the find from Terheide, wind energy, or getting active on cycling and hiking trails. If your trip also takes in other attractions in the wider Wittmund destination, the PeldemĂĽhle and Jan-SchĂĽpp Fahrradpad offer distinct regional points of interest.
More destinations
The nearby destination of Willmsfeld is another option if you would like to explore more places.
Discover more destinations: Carolinensiel, Friedeburg, Eversmeer, Dunum, Neuschoo, Holtgast, Neuharlingersiel.
Back to the wider travel overview: Wittmund.
