Rysum organ, Historical pipe organ in Rysum Church, Krummhörn, Germany.

The Rysum organ is a late-Gothic pipe organ with seven stops on one manual, housed in a case that retains substantial original parts. Its facade pipes, with original scaling, belong to a separate bass division that likely had its own keyboard. The surviving oak wing doors, felled in the Baltic in 1480, were later partly reused as case and bellows covers.

This organ was constructed in 1457 by master craftsman Harmannus from Groningen and underwent major changes in 1513. A restoration brought it back to its 1513 condition in 1959.

This organ reflects the Gothic building tradition that was common throughout the Hanseatic region and shows the shared craftsmanship of the time. Similar instruments can be found in churches between Emden and Norden, revealing how this style connected communities across the area.

Visiting this organ requires entering the church where the instrument is housed and displayed. The best time to visit is during musical performances or services when you can hear it played.

The farmers of Rysum paid for the organ with their ten best cows, shipped across the Ems to Groningen to settle the debt. A written permit from the chieftain Old Imell was needed before the animals could cross the river.