Leer

The most important trading city in East Frisia. At the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th centuries, it was also the political center of the region. East Frisia is a historical region which is now part of Lower Saxony.


It is curious that the name Leer is translated as "empty". It is unknown where did this name came from. In Leer, we also visited the beautiful park and the castle of Evenburg, but it is quite far from the center, so there is a separate article about it.


The city has an embankment. Find there the restaurant Schöne Aussichten (N 53 13.777 E 7 27.474) with the buffet breakfasts for 6.80 euros.


What was unusual to see in Leer is the modern residential areas on the site of old port. Such projects usually can afford only the big cities.


The old town (around this place N 53 13.592 E 7 27.054) is considered the most valuable in the region due to the good condition of the houses.








A beautiful building that looks like a town hall, is a weight office. In 1508, Leer received the right to trade and to weigh goods. The office was built in 1714 and became the last building in the style of Dutch classicism in East Frisia.


Town hall is seen on the right




Getting there: Leer railway station (Ostfriesl) is not far from the city center, use bahn.de. We parked here N 53 13.725 E 7 27.767, but there are many other parking options nearby.