Meppen

Meppen is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, situated in the western part of the state on the river Ems, in the Emsland region. With roughly 34,000 residents, it is one of the larger towns in the district and serves as an administrative and cultural center for the surrounding countryside. The historic town center features a market square and numerous timber-framed houses.

The settlement has medieval origins and developed as a local market town. Over the centuries it belonged to different territorial rulers and, after World War II, became part of the state of Lower Saxony. The Emsland Museum in Meppen documents the region’s history and cultural heritage.

Meppen’s economy is based on services, administration, and light industry, with agriculture in the surrounding countryside. The town is served by Meppen railway station on the Emsland railway line, with regional services along the Rheine–Norddeich Mole corridor, connecting to larger cities in the region. Local buses link Meppen to nearby towns.

Cultural life centers on the historic core and several venues, including the Emsland Museum. The town is also known for SV Meppen, the football club that has competed in Germany’s lower leagues.

Geographically, Meppen lies near the Hümmling region, and the Emsland landscape surrounding the town combines rural scenery with riverine and historic urban elements.