Jarßum between the Ems, terp and dyke

Jarßum is situated on a terp in the coastal marsh, about 6.5 kilometres from the city of Emden. The village is bordered by the Ems to the south and Widdelswehr to the east. Its terp location, river boundary and coastal marsh provide the setting for the village. If you are planning a stay, you may be interested in the natural environment of the Lower Ems or the historic traces of the church and dyke.

Landscape along the Lower Ems

The 200-hectare Petkum dyke foreland along the Lower Ems stretches from Jarßum to Gandersum. Together with adjoining areas in the district of Leer, it was designated the “Unterems” nature reserve by ordinance dated 30 May 2017. The nature reserve is part of FFH area 002 “Unterems und Außenems” (DE 2507-331), and therefore part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

The protected area is characterised by salt marshes, tidal creeks and extensive river mudflats up to 250 metres wide. It provides a habitat for numerous highly specialised and endangered plant and animal species. Jarßum’s terp location and the landscape features of the protected area offer different points of interest: here, the settlement in the coastal marsh is in focus; there, salt marshes, creeks and river mudflats shape the natural environment.

Routes and seasonal access

When planning routes, it is important to distinguish between year-round use and seasonal access. Pedestrians and cyclists can travel year-round between Gandersum and Emden’s outer harbour, either in front of or behind the dyke. The outer-dyke path along the Petkum dyke foreland is different: it is accessible from 1 July to 30 September. If you specifically plan to use this path, time your visit to fall within this period; the year-round access information refers to travelling between Gandersum and Emden’s outer harbour in front of or behind the dyke.

Church and dyke history

Jarßum’s small, single-nave church was built in 1797 on a terp overlooking the dyke. Its simple interior was extensively renovated in 1969. At the Stackdeich in Jarßum, five dyke lines dating from the Middle Ages to the present run over, behind and alongside one another. The church is a dated building, while the dyke lines bring together a longer history: together, the two topics offer different perspectives on the village’s past.

Jarßum’s church terp is listed as an ensemble comprising the church, church terp and cemetery. There is also a centrally located playground in the village.

Culture in the wider travel destination of Emden

The wider travel destination of Emden offers other cultural attractions. Kunsthalle Emden mainly presents Classical Modernist art and has an affiliated art school. Dat Otto Huus documents the career of Emden comedian Otto Waalkes. Across two floors, it displays photographs and memorabilia from his life, his films, well-known props from films and tours, and his awards and prizes.

Bunkermuseum Emden is housed in an authentic bunker on Holzsägerstraße. It traces the period from the beginning of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden’s post-war reconstruction. These themes differ from Jarßum’s local history: in Emden, the focus includes art, Otto Waalkes’ career and the city’s history.

Discover more destinations: Twixlum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Logumer Vorwerk, Wybelsum, Emden, Petkum

Return to the main travel overview: Emden.