Neu Barstede was established as a moorland colony in 1822. Before a parish was assigned to the colonists, they held their church services in Barstede. This brings together two themes in the town’s early history: the founding of the moorland colony and the provision of religious services for its settlers. The historical focus is clear: services were held in Barstede before a parish had been assigned.

The Church in Barstede: Construction and Furnishings

The church in Barstede has a freestanding brick bell tower dating from the 13th century. The church building was rebuilt on older foundations in 1952. The tower and building therefore reflect different construction phases: the bell tower has medieval origins, while the church building was rebuilt in the 20th century. The historical furnishings also span several periods. They include a Renaissance triptych, a baptismal font dating from around 1200, and an organ built in 1801/02. Alongside the building’s history, specific works of art and furnishings are also central. Both the architecture and these varied objects are of interest to anyone exploring Barstede’s cultural history.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Ihlow

In the wider destination of Ihlow, the monastery site features a partial reconstruction of the former Cistercian abbey of Schola Dei. Underground, there is an archaeological exhibition that also serves as a space for spirituality. The site also includes a monastery garden, a bakery, a historic forester’s lodge, a café, and a shop selling regional products and handicrafts. The monastery site is freely accessible all year round; admission is free. Check the current access arrangements before your visit, as they may change. Here, the history of an abbey and archaeological finds are complemented by other offerings at the site.

The Grootsche Huus in Ihlowerfehn also offers a different perspective on regional history. The original Fehn house dates from the 18th century. In its historic rooms, visitors can learn about traditional East Frisian crafts and see the preserved traditional furnishings of the brick building. The house’s design, furnishings, and crafts give the visit a focus on everyday history that differs from the history of the monastery.

The church in Bangstede dates from the 13th century. It still houses a carved depiction of Jesus suffering on the cross, of which only part of the body has been preserved. The work is considered one of the most significant carvings in medieval East Frisia. Here, the focus is on a single work: a medieval carving whose regional significance is particularly noteworthy.

The Schlickmuseum Riepe covers a different subject. It explains how the water-and-soil association Emden-Riepe’s land-covering project, carried out from 1954 to 1994, changed the landscape of Riepe and Riepsterhammrich. Visits are by prior arrangement. The project’s time frame and the landscapes it affected give this museum topic a clear historical context.

The “Schola Dei” pilgrimage route begins at the Ihlow monastery site and runs to St. Ludger’s Church in Norden. The route is 40 kilometres long in total and includes 16 stations. Its starting point, destination, total length, and number of stations make the scale of the route clear: it connects two named places and consists of multiple stations.

Discover more destinations: Ostersander.

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