History of Groningen and other Groningen, Netherlands General Tips

Favorite Thing: The city of Groningen is first mentioned in a document from 1040. So it is almost 1000 years officially exists, but be sure that it dates back to earlier times. The heart of the city (the Grote Markt) is located at the end of a 60 km long ridge (Hondsrug), which has its highest point here, at 6 m. above sea level. Two small rivers (Hunze and Aa) came from the south and were important for commerce from medieval times until the 19th century. Untill late 19th century the city also had an open connection to the sea. So water was always important here.

During the Middle Ages the city became the most important commercial center of the northern part of the Low Countries. A number of buildings still show how rich the city became during the 14th century. Groningen was a member of the Hanseatic League a powerful mercantile organization in northern europe. Warehouses alongside the Aa-river are dating from this period.

During the War of Independence (1568 – 1648), Groningen changed sides several times. In that time the Netherlands was not a united country. In 1614 the University of Groningen was founded, mainly as a place where the ministers for the new Protestant religion, as well as lawyers and medical doctors, could be educated. The University was given a former monastery right in the heart of the city as its main building.

During recent centuries Groningen saw emerging industries such as dairy food production, textiles, tobacco and breweries. Nowadays these small factories all went and Groningen and surroundings is known for its high rate of unemployability.


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Favorite Thing: The most famous building of Groningen is the Martinitoren. This tower and the Martinichurch next to it are named after Saint Martin.
The medieval Martin of Tours (316-397) who was the patron of the diocese of Utrecht to which Groningen belonged for a long period.

According to the legend, St Martin shared his cloak with a beggar suffering from cold. Several paintings in the Church show St Martin as a horseman. He cuts his cloak in two and gives one half to the beggar. His saint's day is 11 November.


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Fondest Memory: The famous boardgame monopoly has its own dutch version with dutch cities and streets. Groningen is one of the cities on the board. Many times, years and years ago, we bought streets like Grote Markt, Heerestraat and A-kerkhof. And now we have seen this styreets in real life...... Would we ever buy them? In the game maybe, but not at the realestate office.

The Grote Markt, is the main square and the highest point in Groningen (6m above sealevel), it is the place for nightlife.
The Heerestraat is also in the citycentre, it is a shoppingstreet.
And finally the illusive A-kerkhof (A-graveyard), always wondered what it was when we were young. And now it turned out to be the street surrounding the A-church.
Kerkhof means graveyard, but taken apart it is church (kerk) and garden (hof).

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Favorite Thing: When walking through Groningen you encounter many pieces of art. Some statues are recognised instantly, but others do make you think.

If you want to know more about the statues there are organised tours with an expert.
See the website: http://www.burohba.nl/excursie/
Or book through the v v v.


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