Situated on the Ems River, Emsdetten is located in the district of Steinfurt. While not a major tourist town, you may have heard of it before.
This quaint town had a brief moment in the international spotlight but for tragic reasons. Much like the American Columbine tragedy, recent high school graduate Sebastian Bosse showed up at his alma mater with a rifle. He shot eight people. None of the victims died, but Bosse was later found dead of an apparent suicide.
But you shouldn’t let its dark past overshadow all that this cultural town has to offer.
It had its beginnings as a textile center, processing cotton in the 1830s. Technology progressed quickly here. In 1856 the first flax spinning mill was built, and by 1861, the first mechanical loom had already been set up. In the 1880s there were close to two thousand residents living in Emsdetten.
While textile making wasn’t such a sustainable line of work, the town rapidly adapted to other industry with new innovations. Still, the August Dutchman Museum preserves the earlier textile tradition.
Guests to this museum can see how the industrialization of textiles affected the lives of Emsdetten citizens. Both hand-held and mechanical weaving devices are on display. And a special exhibition will tell you all about the role of women in the industry.
Emsdetten has transformed itself from an industrial center to an artistic one. There is an art association that sponsors regular exhibits of contemporary art.
Music lovers will always find something to see (or hear) here. Jazz Days and Rock Festivals are some of the more popular events. And fans of the stage will be sure to be around for theater days.
Young visitors will certainly enjoy themselves at the city park. Many different types of animals are on show. You can see deer, donkeys, cattle, guinea and pot-bellied pigs, pheasants and goats.
And people of every age can relax and have some fun in the outdoor pools. ;-)
