One of the largest towns in East Frisia, Aurich was established as the settlement of “Aurechove” in the 13th century. It spent time under the Kingdom of Holland, the First French Empire and the Weimar Republic before becoming part of Lower Saxony in the wake of World War II. Aurich centres around a well-preserved historic core watched over by a 19th-century castle.
Things to do in Aurich
Take a step back in time at the Aurich History Museum, which occupies a 1530s building that once housed a law firm. It details the cultural heritage of East Frisia, with archaeological findings, everyday objects and old photographs on display. Travelling with kids? Don’t miss the MachMitMuseum Aurich, a family-friendly museum filled with hands-on and interactive exhibits.
Dominating the town centre is the Auricher Schloss, a whitewashed masterpiece that was built in the 1850s on the foundations of a 15th-century castle. Topped by a magnificent tower, it is now the seat of the district court and is best admired from the outside. From the castle, you can explore the pedestrianised streets of the Aurich Altstadt, a charming district filled with independent stores and cafes.
A short drive west of Aurich is the Museum of Poverty, which explores the development of an East Frisian moor colony over 200 difficult years. It features a fascinating collection of historic dwellings that were built by peat harvesters from the late 18th to early 20th centuries. In addition to learning about peat extraction, moor burning and the hardships of everyday life, you can watch traditional handicrafts and trades in action.
Getting around Aurich
Aurich is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Bremen and Bremen Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Aurich while the town centre is ideally explored on foot.