Er gaat niets boven Groningen
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G7: Bourtange
A restorend fortress in east Groningen; located in an area where history predominates, it has never been conquered.
The history of an eventful region
The vivacious fortified town of Bourtange has been entirely restored to its original state. Take in the historical shops inside the ramparts, whiff up some culture in the museums and dine at one of the restaurants at the picturesque market square. Be sure not to miss the pitched battles from the Eighty Years’ War which are regularly acted out with drum rolls, the closing of the ranks and the thundering sound of cannons… There is overnight accommodation in the former barracks. In the museum of Heiligerlee re-experience the events of the Eighty Years’ War; Nieuweschans, Oudeschans and Bellingwolde also have numerous elements that testify to an eventful history. If more recent history is what you are looking for, consider a visit to the Juffertoren in Onstwedde, the Veenkoloniaal (peat district) Museum in Veendam or the Castle of Wedde.
Monastery Ter Apel
Ter Apel and its famous monastery from 1465 are located in the most southerly part of the province, on the old trade route between Münster and the city of Groningen. Despite the fact that there are no longer any Holy Cross Brothers living here, the monastery is still an important place of interest, and has obtained a place in the Netherlands’ top 100 of monuments. Art and culture lovers are monastery enthusiasts due to the old and new architecture and the permanent and varying exhibitions. The monastery is a popular venue for weddings, and the wooded surroundings ensure interesting walks for nature lovers.
Experience a day in east Groningen by train and bus
Take a historic train from Stadskanaal in the direction of Veendam. From that location, the historic bus from the Noorderlijk Busmuseum (northern bus museum) takes you to the museum of the same name in Winschoten via Noordbroek, Scheemda and the “Blauwe Stad” (blue city). After the tour, the bus takes you back to Veendam via the “Smuggling route”, ’t Hebrecht, Jipsinghuizen and Smeerling, where the train returns to Stadskanaal.
