Hembergen combines the Emsauenradweg with a long ecclesiastical history and a historic monument. This gives you two distinct themes to focus on when planning your trip: the route of the cycle path through the village and surrounding countryside, or the history of St. Servatius and the sheepfold. Other nature and cultural topics in the wider destination of Emsdetten can be considered separately.
The Emsauenradweg through Hembergen
The Emsauenradweg follows the Ems through Hembergen, via Austum and through the “EmsAue” nature reserve. There are numerous places to stop and rest along the route. The EmsAue lies on the section of the route that passes through Hembergen and via Austum, bringing the river, village and nature reserve together along a named route. If you choose the cycle path as your main focus, you can consider these local and landscape connections together. The places to stop and rest are also part of the route description and can be taken into account when planning your journey.
St. Servatius and the sheepfold
St. Servatius Church is in Hembergen. The formerly independent parish of St. Servatius is more than 800 years old and is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese. The church tower houses Emsdetten’s oldest bells, dating from 1504 and 1696. The church thus reflects both the parish’s long history and two specific dates that remain associated with the building today.
Another historical landmark is the sheepfold in Hembergen. It is listed as a historic monument in Emsdetten and was built in 1781. The sheepfold is considered a rare example of its kind and the only such building in the Samtgemeinde. The church and sheepfold offer different cultural and historical points of interest: St. Servatius represents the history of a formerly independent parish, while the sheepfold is a dated building listed as a historic monument.
More topics in the wider destination of Emsdetten
The wider destination of Emsdetten also offers nature-related attractions that are clearly distinct from Hembergen’s local points of interest. Since the “EMSAUE GANZ NAH” project was completed on 29 April 2012, visitors seeking relaxation have had access to a nature experience area in the Emsdetten Emsaue, with accessible paths and boardwalks as well as information and resting areas. In the Emsdetten Venn, an educational and nature trail leads to areas of interest, with information boards for visitors. Since 2011, it has been possible to cycle around the core area of the Venn. The offerings have different focuses: the trail provides information along a route, while cycling around the area offers one way to explore the core area by bike.
Together, the Emsdetten Venn and the meadows along the Max-Clemens Canal form a Natura 2000 site covering around 500 hectares. It comprises a raised bog complex with peat-cutting ponds at various stages of regeneration and succession, through to carr woodland. This description of the landscape complements the specific ways to experience the Venn via the nature trail or by bike, with details of the named habitats and stages of development.
Emsdetten offers several museums with different themes for a cultural focus. The August Holländer Museum shows how Emsdetten developed from an agricultural and craft-based village of farmers and weavers into an industrial town. The Wannenmacher Museum explores the history of the traditional tub-making craft, with furnished rooms and a thematically organized exhibition area, among other features. The Speicher Museum displays around 150 historical objects in an old granary dating from the 17th century, Emsdetten’s oldest surviving building. The topics range from the town’s development to a craft and historical objects in an old granary.
For the wider travel overview: Emsdetten.
