Oldenburg Things to Do

Lappan is the (untranslatable) name of the tower at the northern end of Lange Straße pedestrian mall. It is now isolated but once belonged to the chapel of Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit). Nothing else is left of the hospital. The former steeple was built in the 1460s, the baroque top was added in 1709.

Near the northern end of the inner city pedestrian zone (btw the largest in Germany) you'll find the "Wallstrasse".

This road without ca traffic just consists of pubs, restaurants, bars, music pubs and is higly frequented by people from 20 to 50 (most are of cause younger). During summer time the street is complety filled with people, sitting on the street drinking beer, talking, having fun.

And severals weekends during the year all pubs together celebrate motto campaigns. For instance you pay e.g. 8 $ and get a ticket for all pubs showing live music, so you can switch between the pubs.

Google for: Wallstrasse Party

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This church was the main reason for my visit to Oldenburg. I needed photos for my book. It is a remarkable example that shows how style and idea of protestant church architecture changed in the run of the 19th century.

From the outside, the church looks like just another of those late 19th century neo-gothic churches that can be found everywhere. However, the neo-gothic facades cover a building and interior which is 80 years older and surprisingly different.

Oldenburg's medieval parish church was changed into a neoclassical building in 1791-1795. The interior is a round hall undernath a huge dome which follows the model of the Pantheon in Rome. The steepleless outside looked like an antique temple.

Three generations later, style and taste had changed. Medieval styles had become popular and people wanted their place of worship to have a more 'church-like' appearance. So the existing neoclassical church was covered with new facades in gothic style. Works started in 1873 and were, with some interruptions, finished in 1893. The interior was left untouched and still shows the late 19th century style, although some changes were done during the renovation of 1966-1971.

More photos in the travelogue

The Horst Janssen Museum is a gallery in Oldenburg featuring the works of local artist Horst Janssen and the more illustrious Toulouse Lautrec. The exhibits also include information about the lives of the painters as well as the paintings and sketches themselves. Note most information is in German.
The museum is open Tues-Sun 10-6. The museum is closed on Mondays. There is a small entrance fee for visitors but student groups go in free.

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Oldenburg's palace served as residence of the Counts of Oldenburg until 1918. ICount Anton Günther had the medieval water castle turned into a renaissance palace between 1607 and 1615. Around 1740 the facades were modernized in baroque style. The eastern wing was added in 1774-1778, two more wings in the early and late 19th century.

The palace now hosts a museum of art and cultural history: Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte

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The beautiful palace gardens, now a public park, were designed as an English landscape garden in 1806-1817. A number of small neoclassicist buildings - the tea pavillon, a greenhouse, the gate house - are well preserved among beautiful old trees, green lawns and abundant flower beds. A walk in the park is enjoyable after sightseeing and you will for sure find a quiet romantic spot to relax.

The market square in front of Lamberti church is the 'living room' of the city and an enjoyable spot to relax and have a coffee in one of the street cafes. Big trees provide shade and create a homely atmosphere.

The town hall was built in 1887 instead of a renaissance precedessor. The brick facades show neo-gothic style that matches the new facades of the church.

The Museum of Nature and Human Life in Oldenburg is an interesting place to visit. There is a small aquarium and many rooms to wander featuring exhibits such as 'Moor' which details the history of reclaiming of land from the sea in this part of Germany. There is also a room featuring gemstones and one with stuffed animal exhibits.
It is open Tues-Fri 9-5 and weekends 10-5. Closed Mondays.