Born on the Fivel
The quiet village of Westeremden long ago had considerably greater significance than today. Around 1000 AD, Westeremden was not only the main town for the Ommelanden but was also an important port.
Have a look now
Westeremden harbour - Molenweg
Formerly an important Roman seaport because at this point the mighty Fivel flowed into the Ems. Until the Middle Ages, Westeremden was a significant port and even possessed some urban rights.
The quiet village of Westeremden long ago had considerably greater significance than today. Around 1000 AD, Westeremden was not only the main town for the Ommelanden but was also an important port. Via the Fivel, which flowed close to the village, Westeremden had a direct connection to the sea. When the Fivel began to silt up from the 11th century onwards, Westeremden lost its importance. In 1219, the harbour was finally filled in. Sailors left and the village became agricultural.
The present small harbour on Molenweg is in a sense the successor to the seaport that must have been nearby.
The baton from Westeremden
West...
Westeremden harbour - Molenweg
Formerly an important Roman seaport because at this point the mighty Fivel flowed into the Ems. Until the Middle Ages, Westeremden was a significant port and even possessed some urban rights.
The quiet village of Westeremden long ago had considerably greater significance than today. Around 1000 AD, Westeremden was not only the main town for the Ommelanden but was also an important port. Via the Fivel, which flowed close to the village, Westeremden had a direct connection to the sea. When the Fivel began to silt up from the 11th century onwards, Westeremden lost its importance. In 1219, the harbour was finally filled in. Sailors left and the village became agricultural.
The present small harbour on Molenweg is in a sense the successor to the seaport that must have been nearby.
The baton from Westeremden
Westeremden originated around the beginning of the era at the then mouth of the river Fivel in the Fivel sea basin. It is a radial mudflat village rising to 5.5 metres above NAP and is located on a salt marsh that runs from Usquert, Kantens and Middelstum via Huizinge and Westeremden to Zeerijp ('Zeerand') and Spijk. According to the Loppersum municipal website, the undeveloped parts of the mound on the west and south sides were excavated between 1903 and 1910 to sell the fertile mound soil. Archaeological excavations, involving Professor Albert van Giffen, found two runic inscriptions at the time. In 1917, a text was found on a stick of yew wood. In 1928, a weaving sword with the short inscription for Adegisl and Gisehild was found. Despite the excavations, the mound pattern is still clearly visible.
The place first appears in the Middle Ages under the names Emedun (944), Amuthon (10th-12th centuries), and Emetha (or Emethe or Emutha; 13th century) Mutha means: mouth of the river. Later, the prefix 'wester' was added to distinguish the place from East Frisian Emden. As such, the place first appears in 1379. Under the name Embden, however, the place still appears until the 17th century.
Until about 1000 the village had a harbour, but probably in the middle of the 10th century the Fivel silted up. It is unclear whether this was caused by the digging of the Delf. After the surrounding area was diked in 1192, the harbour was finally filled in in 1219. The disappearance of shipping from Westeremden led to the rise of Garreweer. After the harbour was filled in, the Westeremdermaar was dug. A small harbour can still be found on Molenweg.
source: staatineemsdelta.nl