exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
You are here: worth seeing in the surroundings
Oldenburg [Oldb] (5/5)
The Degodehaus
Just around the corner (Markt / Kleine Kirchenstraße), the Degodehaus is an elegant sight. It is one of the few houses that survived the infernal city fire triggered by three lightning strikes on July 27, 1676. Built in 1502 by Christopher Stindt as a typical late medieval living-diele house (as dated in a crossbeam on the facade), it is the last patrician house in the city. These members of the upper classes of many medieval and early modern cities were not only very wealthy but also politically influential.
Details of the Degodehaus
The house's current appearance is once again due to Count Anton Günther, who commissioned a renovation in 1617 and subsequently gave the house as a wedding gift to his envoy and member of the County’s Secret Council, Mylius von Gnadenfeld. In 1645, he had a wooden ceiling painted with an allegorical representation of the then-known world, featuring the continents Africa, America, Asia, and Europe. This artwork only resurfaced in 1992 after being uncovered from a later layer of paint applied over it.
The Degodehaus did not become a merchant's house until the 19th century. The name of the house is derived from the merchant Wilhelm Degode from Jever, who purchased the house along with its business in 1860. Two years later, the renowned landscape painter of the Düsseldorf School, Georg Wilhelm Degode, was born there.
During another stroll through the pedestrian zone, you can discover small alleys with individual shops and cozy cafés branching off from the main paths, such as Bergstraße.
View into Bergstraße
At the corner of Lange Straße and Lappan stands the oldest tower and landmark of Oldenburg: the Lappan. Built in 1467 and ’68, it originally served as the bell tower for the Heilig-Geist-Kirche (Church of the Holy Spirit), which was constructed in 1394. The square brick building was "attached" ("angelappt") to the church, hence its name. The Heiligengeistwall, located almost next door and transitioning into the Staulinie, guides vehicular traffic around the city center.
With the Reformation, the church lost its purpose, underwent different uses, and the tower became a watchtower. Its occupants were obligated to prevent the clock from stopping and to ring the bell three times daily for the services of the city churches.
Lappan
The employees of the tourist information office naturally do not have this duty today; they are now located in the tower. After the great city fire, the severely damaged tower received a new dome. The original Gothic dome was replaced in 1709 with a multiply curved, so-called "Welsche" (Italian-style) dome. The copper-clad structure rises slender and pointed into the sky and still bears a clock today. However, time may also become relative when one is out for a stroll here.
Always something happening on stage and in front of the house: the Staatstheater
Those who leave the quiet pedestrian zone and venture across the busy Wallring can make further "discoveries" at various points. Behind the neobaroque Staatstheater, opened in 1893, lies the Cäcilienplatz, named after Cäcilie of Oldenburg, who died as Princess of Sweden and Grand Duchess of Oldenburg in the Lower Saxon city in 1844. The park features bronze busts of two individuals born in Oldenburg: the politician, educator, and women's rights advocate Helene Lange (bust by Udo Reimann, 1995) and the psychiatrist and philosopher Karl Theodor Jaspers (bust by Christa Baumgärtel, 1983). Both gained regional fame through their work.
Bust of Karl Theodor Jaspers
Well, yes, they are all deceased. Horst Janssen has been since August 1995, but the works of this draftsman and graphic artist - who grew up in Oldenburg and found his final resting place here after a life in Hamburg - are still very much alive and can be seen at the Horst-Janssen-Museum just a stone's throw from the Lappan.
Horst-Janssen-Museum
Those interested in botany after visiting Schlossgarten, etc., should take a detour to the Botanical Garden, located slightly outside the city center. The origins of today’s 3.7-hectare facility date back to 1882. Since 1976, the garden has been affiliated with the university. However, only the section along Philosophenweg is open to the public.
What makes Oldenburg's Botanical Garden special are the animals, particularly birds, kept there.
Kale? No, this is no kale, you can find it here
And what else? Oh yes, kale. Lower Saxony is a federal state with extensive agricultural landscapes. Alongside asparagus and potatoes, kale also grows here and is ready for harvest in autumn. It enriches not only the local cuisine in private households but also provides enjoyable outings with hearty food and usually ample alcohol during the winter months through "Kohltouren" (kale tours). So far, so good - if it weren’t for the dispute between Bremen and Oldenburg over which is the kale capital. Although the outcome remains undecided, like Knipp, it is a culinary recommendation for regional cuisine. However, not for those living vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.
Many tokens of love
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Map
Further information
Oldenburg Tourism
Lange Straße 3
26122 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)441 36161366
Email: info@oldenburg-tourist.de
Opening hours of Oldenburg-Info in Lappan: Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
www.oldenburg-tourismus.de
State Museum for Art and Cultural History
Damm 1
26135 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)441 40570400
Email: info@landesmuseum-ol.de
www.landesmuseum-ol.de
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM, closed on Mondays, Holidays as per website
Locations:
Schloss (Castle), Schlossplatz 1, 26122 Oldenburg
Prinzenpalais, Damm 1, 26135 Oldenburg
Augusteum, Elisabethstr. 1, 26135 Oldenburg
State Museum of Nature and Man
Damm 38-46
26135 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)441 40570300
Email: museum@naturundmensch.de
www.naturundmensch.de
Open: Tuesday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM, closed on Mondays
Oldenburg City Museum
Am Stadtmuseum 4-8
26121 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)441 2352881
www.stadtmuseum-oldenburg.de
The museum is closed for demolition and reconstruction until further notice: www.museum-findet-stadt.de
Horst Janssen Museum
Am Stadtmuseum 4-8
26121 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 (0)441 2352885
Email: info@horst-janssen-museum.de
www.horst-janssen-museum.de
Open: Tuesday - Sunday from 10 AM - 6 PM, closed on Mondays
Dangast
Dangast is located on the Jadebusen, a 190 km² sea bay at the North Sea created by storm surges. The town, which belongs to Varel, is a popular holiday and excursion destination. Campers will find two campsites right by the water here, and cyclists have excellent conditions for tours in the surrounding area. The rhubarb cake in the picture is a classic with a rich tradition at the old spa house, which has been run by a family business for several generations.
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Cuxhaven - a day trip
Many people from Bremen consider the seaside resorts of Cuxhaven to be "their home beach." The coastal city at the mouth of the Elbe is easily accessible from Bremen by car via the A27, which passes by Bremen and Bremerhaven before ending in Cuxhaven. By train, the journey takes a bit longer with a transfer in Bremerhaven. However, even in the off-season, Cuxhaven with its seaside resorts is a great destination for an outing - for example, by bicycle.
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Heligoland - a day trip
Germany's only supposed high-seas island is visited each year by thousands of tourists, most of them day-trippers in the warmer months. And yes, admittedly, Heligoland isn't located right in the vicinity of Bremen. However, it can be reached as a day trip from Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven - which is why we decided to visit.
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The East Frisian Island Wangerooge
Among the inhabited East Frisian Islands, Wangerooge is the second smallest (7.94 km²) after Baltrum and car-free, making a stroll through town much more pleasant compared to other islands, especially since distances can easily be covered on foot. From the small train station, you're just a few steps away from the heart of the village, quickly finding yourself in front of the unmistakable Old Lighthouse, which now houses the island museum. From 1856 to 1969, this lighthouse served as a maritime navigation aid, guiding ships safely along their routes. Just how far its light could be seen becomes clear when you climb the 149 steps to the lantern room—from there, you can step out onto the surrounding gallery and enjoy a sweeping view of the island and the North Sea.
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Weser cruise from Bremen to Bremerhaven
Of course, you can take a car for a visit to Bremerhaven from Bremen or board the regional train at the main station. However, with suitable weather and enough time, it is more interesting to cover the route on the Weser by ship. The shipping company "Hal över" operates the connection from May to September. The ship departs from the Martinianleger near the city center along the Schlachte. Those who wish can even take their bicycle with them; additionally, you can pre-book a breakfast onboard.
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Brake & the River Island of Harriersand
As soon as the sun shines in spring and temperatures reach around 20 degrees, many Northern Germans are drawn to the North Sea coast for some water fun. The main thing is having a beach to lie on in the sun and sand for the kids to dig and build castles. That's why many people from Bremen also head north on warm weekends via the highway, packed with bags and picnic baskets ready for a day of beach vacation. But why travel far when the nearest beach is just around the corner - as a visit to Brake and Harriersand demonstrates.
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Bremerhaven - Überseehafen (Overseas Port)
In addition to the Old Harbor (now the Museum Harbor), which was the first to be built, other ports were later added. Adjacent to the New Harbor lies Kaiserhafen I, the first in a series of additional harbor basins. Even a glance into this initial section of the expansive port area reveals a different world of maritime activity - one of large ships. And we will see even larger ones along the five-kilometer-long quay on the Weser.
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Wilhelmshaven – Seaside City on the Jadebusen
It's hard to imagine Wilhelmshaven without its naval presence, as the city only developed after a naval base was built in the 19th century. Even today, the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) maintain a large base here with several squadrons. Yet, there is much more to discover in this port city beyond its military significance.
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