Located on the banks of the River Ems, Papenburg is a historic shipbuilding centre in Lower Saxony. It was first mentioned in the 16th century in the “Chronicle of the Frisians” and was home to several prisoner-of-war and moorland labour camps during World War II.
Things to do in Papenburg
In the heart of Papenburg is St. Antonius Church, a Catholic house of worship topped by a soaring spire. Step inside to admire the stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes or coincide your visit with a service to hear the organ in action. Adjacent to the church is a beautiful old cemetery where some of Papenburg’s most notable residents are laid to rest.
Papenburg’s main green space is Stadt Park, which centres around two sprawling lakes spanned by charming bridges. You can stretch your legs on the waterfront trails or relax on the grassy lawns before soaking up the views from the 12-metre-high observation tower. Both young and old alike will enjoy the multigenerational playground.
Want to see how cruise ships are built? Head to the Visitor Centre of Meyer Werft, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern shipbuilding. Originally founded in 1795 as a builder of small wooden vessels, Meyer Werft now boasts one of the largest shipbuilding halls in the world. Browse the engaging exhibits and watch one of the informative films before seeing ocean liners being constructed in one of the company’s two immense building docks.
Getting around Papenburg
Papenburg is around one hour’s drive from Oldenburg and 1.5 hours from Bremen. Bremen Airport is also 1.5 hours away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect to the Papenburg railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Papenburg can easily be explored on foot.