East Frisia captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes of sea, mudflats, and dikes stretching as far as the eye can see. Beyond its pristine natural beauty, the region enchants with charming coastal towns that possess their own distinctive maritime character, such as the picturesque village of Carolinensiel. A new photography book titled "I Love the Sea Like My Soul" invites readers on a comprehensive photographic tour of this remarkable corner of northwestern Germany.
The coffee table book, featuring informative and entertaining texts by Heike and Peter Gerdes, offers fascinating insights into the region's rich history and culture. Readers discover that historically, every village in East Frisia owned at least one wind or water mill. The town of Dornum still boasts five mills today, including the Sielmühle in the Westerbur district, which also served as a sea marker for maritime navigation.
One of the region's most famous landmarks has achieved genuine movie star status: the yellow-and-red striped Pilsum Lighthouse, standing proudly at eleven meters tall. German comedian Otto Waalkes made this lighthouse internationally famous in his 1989 film "Otto - der Außerfriesische" (Otto - The Outer Frisian), transforming it into one of the region's most photographed attractions. However, not all lighthouses remain stationary - the lightship "Amrumbank" served in the North Sea since 1917 before finding its permanent home as a museum and restaurant with a wedding chapel in Emden's Ratsdelft harbor.
Emden itself tells a story of industrial transformation. During the 20th century, the city was known as the "seaport of the Ruhr area," where coal was shipped out and iron ore was imported for the steel industry. Today, the port primarily handles automobiles and wind power equipment, reflecting Germany's shift toward renewable energy. The Harlesiel rescue station at Friedrichsschleuse, originally established in 1865 as a simple wooden shed, now houses an exhibition dedicated to the history of maritime rescue services in its current building, constructed in 1911.
The medieval town of Leer offers unique architectural charm with its old town featuring not a single right-angled street. Through the small alleyways called "Lohnen," visitors discover surprisingly beautiful views, including the historic Samson House with its distinctive baroque gable. The journey continues to Greetsiel, home to Lower Saxony's largest cutter fleet, with 25 fishing vessels moored in the picturesque 600-year-old harbor. These boats regularly venture as far as Danish waters, bringing back flatfish and North Sea shrimp.
The region holds another geographical distinction: Lower Saxony's lowest point lies 2.5 meters below sea level at the Wynhamster Kolk. This depression was created in 1715 when a storm surge broke through the dike, and today a water-lifting windmill continues to drain the land. The site serves as a powerful reminder of why dike protection remains crucial and why the Frisians consider their "Golden Ring" - the dike system along the North Sea coast - so precious.
At the mouth of the Ems River, where it flows into the sea, tidal forces have carved out additional pools while fresh river water mixes with the salty North Sea to create brackish water. The Old Town Hall of Norden, featuring its distinctive stair tower, houses both the local history museum and tea museum, operated by the city's heritage association. The "Rummel" on the upper floor, serving as both meeting hall and festival room, remains largely in its original condition.
The region's 19th-century prosperity is evidenced by Norden's old customs house at the harbor. After the construction of the Leybucht lock in 1929, Norden's access to the sea became severely restricted, and the customs house lost its significance - it now operates as a restaurant. In Lütetsburg, a chieftain's estate called "Uthof" belonging to the Manninga family stood since 1212. After the castle's destruction in 1514, chieftain Unico Manninga built a Renaissance-style moated castle in its place, which remains in private ownership today.
The Harle River near Funnix meanders gently through young marshland. Since the territorial reform of 1972, all three Funnix communities - Funnix, Altfunnixsiel, and Neufunnixsiel - belong to the city of Wittmund. Travelers on the roads around these three villages often walk along centuries-old dike lines. Near Wiesmoor, peat sods glow in the evening light, representing an ecosystem of remarkable environmental importance. Moors store carbon by converting dying plant matter into peat, with one hectare of moorland capable of storing 150 tons of carbon in its upper 50 centimeters - more than any other ecosystem.
On the island of Norderney, one of the most beautiful walks follows the "Zuckerpad" (Sugar Path) dune trail past an observation platform to the White Dune. The name allegedly dates to the French occupation period, when smugglers transported their goods - primarily sugar - past the guard station. The idyllic fishing village of Ditzum features a distinctive tower that belongs not to a lighthouse but to the Protestant Reformed church, built around 1200.
The photographic journey concludes with Evenburg Castle in the Loga district, constructed around 1650 and surrounded by an English-style park. For those seeking more impressions of this unique region, the photography book "I Love the Sea Like My Soul: East Frisia and Its Islands" is available from Ellert & Richter publishing for 29.95 euros, offering readers a comprehensive visual exploration of a landscape rich in both history and natural beauty.
