Norden

Norden is a coastal town in East Frisia on the North Sea, spreading across more than 100 square kilometers that combine residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and marshland. The districts range from the historic core with its brick buildings to outer areas that reach the dikes along the shore.

The settlement grew during medieval times through sea trade and developed into a harbor town that moved goods between inland regions and North Sea shipping routes. During the early modern period, the Doornkaat distillery shaped local economy from 1806 onward with its production of grain spirits.

Visitors encounter the legacy of Saint Liudger at the church bearing his name, where the building follows the red brick style common to northern Germany's hall churches. The interior houses an organ by Arp Schnitger, whose sound has shaped local Protestant music traditions since the late 17th century.

The railway station in the center offers InterCity and regional trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, connecting through Lower Saxony and onward to northern Germany. The town sits close to the coast, so visitors can reach the dikes and tidal flats on clear days without long journeys.

The Doornkaat distillery applied a triple distillation method for grain spirits from its founding in 1806, giving the product its particular character. This technique was uncommon in the region and contributed to the recognition of local spirits production.