There are days when you can’t get me to shut-up about a particular town in Germany. I’m sure you’ve noticed, just droning on and on about the wonderful (fantastic, terrific, outstanding) town that I just so happen to be writing about.
Sometimes, however, I’m at a loss and struggle to find the right things to tell you. The Lower Saxony town of Lathen falls into the latter category.
Don’t get me wrong, Lathen is nice. It’s just there isn’t a whole lot going on. You and I aren’t going to hold that against it — oh no, Lathen’s just small, that’s all. It’s a typical hard-working German town where people go to work, go to church, and every once and while, go to party.
Where is this typical German town? Just one town over from the border of the Netherlands, at the Ems River. It takes up only 38 square kilometers, and a good bit of that is the Transrapid Test Facility.
Oh yeah, a fast track where we Germans learn to make things go even faster. The track itself is over 31km long — and it’s big business to this unassuming town.
You’re probably not here for all that, so instead how about going to see some of Lathen’s villages. Fresenburg’s got an old chapel; and it’s known for its Equestrian Events.
Oberlangen is another party hamlet — the one not to miss is held on the last weekend of June.
If you like the whole windmill scene, look no further than the one built here in town back in 1818.
What’s great about Lathen is it’s centrally located to enjoy some of the best of Lower Saxony. Stay at one of the town’s Bed & Breakfasts (like the Lathener Marsch that’s built from a 900 year old farmhouse), then flit off to any number of museums in the Emsland District.
You’re awfully close to the Emsland Archaeological Exhibition Center, the Moor Museum, Maritime Museum, and even Clemswerth Castle.
Oh, it appears that I haven’t struggled to tell you about Lathen — and all it’s wonderful (terrific, outstanding, etc.) things. ;-)
