Discover Loquard: a terp village and church history

Those considering Loquard as a travel destination because of its local history will find three clear points of interest: the terp, the church and traces of earlier buildings. Together, they span the settlement’s protective design, its architectural history and later changes of use.

Terp village and village layout

Loquard is a terp village: the settlement lies on an artificially raised mound that served to protect it from North Sea floods. The church stands at the highest point of the terp. The term “terp village” thus refers to a human-made elevation with a protective function. The historic terp village was restored and redesigned as part of a village renewal project. This restoration and redesign adds a more recent chapter in the village’s development to the terp’s earlier history.

The church and its traces of time

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Loquard is a rectangular, single-nave brick church. It was probably built in the second half of the 13th century. The church houses an altar dating from around 1510, made in a Flemish altarpiece workshop. The organ case dates from 1793 and is a listed monument. The dates refer to different elements: the presumed construction of the church, the altar and the organ case. Several centuries separate the presumed construction of the church from the protected organ case, while the altar marks another point in time. Opening hours and service times are posted at the church; take these notices into account when planning your visit.

The castle and former uses

The former Lyowertsnabroch Castle is also part of the local history. It was destroyed on 14 June 1400 during a punitive expedition by the people of Hamburg. The castle stood on a small island that still exists today and is surrounded by a moat. This makes it possible to distinguish the destroyed castle from the surviving traces of its site. Another historic architectural reference is a former Gulfhof farm dating from 1835, which was converted into a primary school in Loquard. The two examples illustrate different changes in the village: the castle was destroyed, while the Gulfhof building was put to a new use. Together, they add further local stories of buildings and their uses to the history of the church.

Punt ferry and connection to Emden

At the end of the Loquarder Tief, the Knockster Tief, you can cross by punt using your own muscle power. If you plan to take the punt, check in advance when crossings are possible. Loquard remains connected to the seaport city of Emden via the Loquarder Tief and the Larrelter Tief. The punt and the waterways represent different connections: the punt provides a specific crossing, while the two waterways represent Loquard’s ongoing connection to Emden.

Discover more destinations: Campen, Pewsum, Eilsum, Hamswehrum, Upleward, Rysum, Visquard, Greetsiel

Return to the main travel overview: Krummhörn.