Loquard as a Terp Village

Loquard is a terp village: the settlement lies on an artificially raised mound to protect it from North Sea floods. The church stands at the highest point of the terp, so the building and the settlement’s layout are directly connected to the village’s history. The way the historic village has been treated is also part of its development: Loquard was restored and redesigned as part of a village renewal project. The older settlement pattern, shaped by protection from the water, and the village’s later redesign thus represent two distinct chapters.

Church and Historic Furnishings

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Loquard is a rectangular, single-nave brick church. The description conveys its basic form: a rectangular building with a single church space. The church was probably built in the second half of the 13th century. Its historic furnishings extend the timeline: the church contains an altar made around 1510 in a Flemish altarpiece workshop. The organ case dates from 1793 and is a listed monument. The church’s construction, the altar and the organ case therefore belong to distinctly different periods.

Opening hours and service times are posted at the church. Check the notices there before your visit if you are planning to go inside.

Castle Island and Change in the Village

The former Lyowertsnabroch Castle stood on a small island that still exists and is surrounded by a moat. The castle itself was destroyed on 14 June 1400 during a punitive expedition by the people of Hamburg. The distinction is important for understanding the site’s history: the island and moat remain, while the castle building was destroyed. The exact date links the place to a specific historical event.

The conversion of a building to a new use is another part of Loquard’s history. A former Gulfhof farm dating from 1835 was converted into a primary school. Alongside the church and castle, this offers a different example of architectural change: a farm was given a new use. Together with the restoration and redesign of the historic terp village, this broadens the story of Loquard beyond its medieval buildings.

Crossing by Pünte Ferry

The Pünte ferry at the end of the Loquarder Tief, also known as the Knockster Tief, offers a different experience: you can cross using your own muscle power. Unlike the church, castle island and Gulfhof, the crossing itself is the activity here. If you would like to include it in your plans, check in advance whether a crossing is possible. The Pünte thus complements the historical themes with a hands-on connection to the water.

When planning your trip, it is easy to distinguish Loquard’s main attractions: the church, castle island and Gulfhof relate to architectural and local history, while the Pünte offers an active crossing. Those interested in the history of a terp village will find traces from several different periods here; if you are also looking for a practical activity, you can include the Pünte as a separate stop in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Upleward, Eilsum, Campen, Rysum, Hamswehrum, Greetsiel, Visquard, Pewsum.

Return to the regional travel guide: Krummhörn.