Worpswede
– Moor meets the endless northern sky
Tourist-Information
worpswede-touristik.de
worpswede-touristik.de
Location: North Germany
30 Minutes to Bremen,1,5 hours to Hamburg,
1 hour to the Northern Sea
30 Minutes to Bremen,1,5 hours to Hamburg,
1 hour to the Northern Sea
Just 30 minutes from Bremen, Worpswede rises above the flat moorland of the Teufelsmoor. Climb the hill and suddenly the sky opens up — vast, luminous and endless in every direction.
It was this light, this landscape, that drew the first painters here in the late 19th century. Their reputation spread quickly — and soon other artists followed, along with the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who met the sculptor Clara Westhoff here. Heinrich and Martha Vogeler married in Worpswede, as did Otto Modersohn and Paula Modersohn-Becker. The village became not just an artists' colony, but a way of life.
Today, Worpswede is still very much alive — six museums, around 140 active artists and craftspeople, and numerous galleries and studios keep that spirit burning.
It was this light, this landscape, that drew the first painters here in the late 19th century. Their reputation spread quickly — and soon other artists followed, along with the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who met the sculptor Clara Westhoff here. Heinrich and Martha Vogeler married in Worpswede, as did Otto Modersohn and Paula Modersohn-Becker. The village became not just an artists' colony, but a way of life.
Today, Worpswede is still very much alive — six museums, around 140 active artists and craftspeople, and numerous galleries and studios keep that spirit burning.
Guided tour of the artists’ colony
Various guided tours to the most beautiful spots in Worpswede are available for groups. You’ll learn lots of interesting facts about the origins of this artists’ village. What prompted Paula Modersohn-Becker, Heinrich Vogeler and others to settle here? How was the village shaped by the diverse range of artists’ buildings? The tour includes a visit to a museum.
Peat boat trip through the Teufelsmoor
A wonderful way to explore the Teufelsmoor and the vastness of the Hamme lowlands. During the peat boat trip, the skippers recount tales from days gone by. Hear the history and stories of farmers and artists. How was this land cleared and settled? What was life like here? What inspired the artists? Trips at dawn or sunset are highly recommended.
Art/Museums
Six museums, one village — each with its own story to tell. The Barkenhoff, Große Kunstschau, Haus im Schluh, Käseglocke, Museum am Modersohn-Haus and Worpsweder Kunsthalle together bring the full artistic world of Worpswede to life. For contemporary art, the Galerie Altes Rathaus is well worth a visit.
Accommodation
Hotel Buchenhof — a beautifully restored Jugendstil villa, built by the painter Hans am Ende, right next to the Barkenhoff museum
Galeriehotel Maribondo — art-filled rooms in the heart of Worpswede
Hotel Worpsweder Tor — comfortable hotel, ideal base for exploring the village
Willi Ohler Haus — the former home and pottery workshop of artist Willi Ohler, built in 1926 in the Hoetger style, with original artworks on every wall and panoramic views over the moorland
Paula’s Atelier — a holiday apartment in the former studio of Paula Modersohn-Becker, one of the most celebrated artists of the Worpswede colony
Travel recommendations
Worpswede is located near Bremen and not far from Hamburg. This artists’ village is the perfect addition to a cultural city break. The Kunsthalle Bremen, the Overbeck Museum and the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum in Bremen offer a special thematic link. In Hamburg, the Hamburger Kunsthalle provides a high-calibre thematic complement.
Combination tip:
Heikendorf artists’ colony – Kiel Fjord
Dangast – small artisty town on the north sea
Ahrenshoop, Hiddensee, Usedom – the three colonies at the baltic sea
Artists who lived here
Carl Vinnen (1863 – 1922)
Hans am Ende (1864 – 1918)
Otto Modersohn (1865 – 1943)
Fritz Mackensen (1866 – 1953)
Fritz Overbeck (1869 – 1909)
Heinrich Vogeler (1872 – 1942)
Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876 – 1907)
Clara Rilke-Westhoff (1887 – 1954)
Lisel Oppel (1897 – 1960)
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