Lingen

Lingen, also known as Lingen (Ems), is a town in the northwest of Lower Saxony, Germany. It lies in the Emsland district along the river Ems, near the border with the Netherlands. The town functions as a regional center for administration, commerce, and culture, with a historic core that attracts visitors and serves residents.

The history of Lingen reaches back to the Middle Ages, when it developed as a market town on the Ems trade routes. Its old town features traditional timber-framed houses and the historic Schloss Lingen (Lingen Castle), as well as a town hall and a market square. Over the centuries, Lingen grew as a local center for agriculture, crafts, and later industry, reflecting the broader development of the Emsland region.

Economy and infrastructure in Lingen are shaped by a mix of energy, manufacturing, and services. The area hosts the Kernkraftwerk Emsland (KKE), a nuclear power plant located nearby, contributing to regional energy production. In addition, small- and medium-sized enterprises across logistics, engineering, and trade support the local economy. The town is connected by road and rail networks that link it with the surrounding Emsland region and neighboring areas in Germany and the Netherlands.

Culturally, Lingen offers museums, theaters, and events that reflect its regional character, along with recreational opportunities along the Ems River. The surrounding landscape combines riverine ecology with agricultural lands, typical of the Emsland. As part of Lower Saxony’s westernmost frontier region, Lingen maintains ties to both urban centers and cross-border exchanges with neighboring countries.