Butjadingen is a peninsula in the far northwest of Lower Saxony, which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. This is mainly due to the charming landscape, which was completely unknown to many visitors until then. The exciting thing is that Butjadingen is surrounded by various bodies of water. The North Sea, Jade and Weser together form a natural border.
The Land Beyond the Jade
The Butjadingen peninsula was formed by storm surges. Numerous villages, meadows and fields broke off and were carried away by the sea. The worst storm surge was the one at Christmas 1717. Many people died. The island was first settled in the Middle Ages. The inhabitants of the Frisian tribe of the Butjadinger gave the island its name.
For a long time, the small Wadden Sea peninsula belonged to the Frisian municipality of Rüstringen, which was a member of the Frisian Seelands. Later, Butjadingen belonged to Bremen, then to Oldenburg. In 1853, the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg concluded the Jade Treaty with the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia needed land for the construction of a war port on the North Sea. The new port was built in today’s Wilhelmshaven. In the 19th and 20th centuries, there were repeated reform laws and new community mergers.
Exciting excursion destinations and leisure tips in Butjadingen
The Langwarder Val Gardena is the perfect place for bird watching. On the four-kilometre-long circular hiking trail and the nature discovery trail, visitors can watch countless waders in search of food. The excursion is suitable for families with children and nature lovers alike. On footbridges and bridges it goes up to the Vorderdeich. Here you can observe the alternation of low and high tide particularly well.
Several observation stands are ideal for a short break. There are interactive information boards that bring visitors closer to the special Wadden Sea habitat with all its animals and plants. Permanently installed binoculars allow you to take a closer look at shelduck goose, seagull and co. If the information is not enough for you, visit the Fedderwardersiel National Park House. Here, guided tours through the salt marshes of the Langwarder Groden take place regularly. But the museum is also worth a visit. It brings you closer to the idea of nature conservation and interesting facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Water frogs love a visit to the Aqua Mundo adventure pool. The tropical excursion destination is an absolute must, especially for families! Slides, Crazy River and the 29 degree wave pool guarantee pure water fun. Parents can take a break with aqua sports or a visit to the sauna. Warm temperatures, water and South Seas feeling round off the visit appropriately.
In search of the original, visitors to the Butjadingen peninsula sooner or later end up at the idyllic shrimp cutter harbour of Fedderwardersiel. Freshly caught fish, restaurants prepare regional delicacies and excursion steamers go out to the open sea. Another highlight for visitors are the harbour concerts. From April to October, maritime sounds can be heard on Sundays at eleven o’clock. Other events also take place throughout the year at the harbour of Fedderwardersiel. A highlight is certainly the Krabbenkutter Regatta and the Culinary Autumn.
Take a look at the St. Laurentius Church in Langwarden. This is where the oldest organ in Butjadingen is located. It was built in 1650 by Hermann Kröger and Berendt Hus in elaborate manual work. A few years later, the pedal towers were added. The organ is largely original and is known for its spring-laden construction and unique sound. By the way, the church tower served the well-known German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss as a survey point during his research. He is considered the prince of mathematics and the surveyor of our world.
Art also plays an important role on the Butjadingen peninsula, as a walk along the promenade from Burhaven to Fedderwardersiel proves. Here, seven German artists created works from natural materials such as wood, metal, stone and marble. The Galerie am Wehlhamm in Ruhwarden, on the other hand, shows handicrafts and paintings by renowned North German artists. The owners of the gallery regularly organize vernissages, readings, lectures and exciting seminars. In addition, the Gezeiten art and culture weeks have been held since 1986. The annual series of events on the island is all about creativity, art and painting.
A bad weather tip is a visit to the Butjadingen play barn. The 3,000 m² indoor playground makes children’s hearts beat faster! Whether climbing fun on the mountain, racing on the go-kart track or children’s disco with Fiete and Fietje – a visit to the Butjadinger play barn is peppered with highlights all year round. Several children’s entertainers provide a colourful annual programme. Baking pizza, making candles and jumping on the trampoline – there’s always something going on here!
