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Assen Travel Guide: 168 reviews and 352 photos

Kloosterstraat, one of the oldest streets in Assen

my birthtown

The history of Assen started in 1258, when the monastery ''Maria in Campis'' was built. Till that time there were only some farmhouses in the small settlements around, like Witten, Deurze and Peelo.

Between the former moats of the the monastery ( called ''Singels'') you can still find old buildings of the different centuries.
The monastery has gone. Only the abbey church (abdijkerk), now a part of the ''Drents Museum'', is still there. And the roads around the citycentre have still the names of the former ''Singels''.
One of the oldest streets in the centre near the former monastery is called Kloosterstraat ( Monastery Street).

Brink of Assen

de Brink in the centre of Assen

West of the Kloosterstraat lies the ''Brink''. Almost all traditonal villages in the Province Drenthe have a brink (village green) in their centre, so Assen has. Many historical buildings are situated around the brink, like the former monastery.
Assen is the capital of the Province Drenthe and the buildings of the Provincial governement were situated at the Brink too, untill they moved out of the citycentre. Now you can find the "Drents Museum'' in these buildings.

Museumlaantje

East of the Museum you can find "het Museumlaantje'' (the Museum Alley). Here you see a lot of old buildings in different styles, like the Ontvangershuis, the Archives, the Museum of Drenthe and the tower of the Abbey church. All the buildings are built or rebuilt in different centuries and changed their functions several times.

Intro Updated Jan 13, 2006
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Reviews (38)

Old Saxon farmerhouses Off The Beaten Path (1)

In the small village Witten, 5 KM west of Assen, you can find three traditional Saxon farmerhouses. Two are a national... more travel advice

Shopping in the new shopping centre Shopping (5)

Assen has a regional function for shopping. So next to the shopping area in the old streets of the city, there is built... more travel advice

Shopping in the old citycentre Shopping (5)

In the old citycentre are a lot of shops. It's nice to walk around in this cosy part of the town which has mainly... more travel advice

Markt at the northern end of the Kerkstraat - Assen

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The Markt in Assen at the northern end of the Kerkstraat is a nice place to sit at one of the many terraces of the cafes... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
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Favorites (5)
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Nightlife (2)
See All Discotheque in the former cinema

Things to Do (18)
See All Churches: Beth-el Church
Sports & Outdoors (1)
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Comments (13)

hunterV Aug 9, 2011 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

Hello, Ali!~ I see this place has a very special and cozy atmosphere...It would be nice to visit...Thanks for your story!~
Nemorino Nov 7, 2009 at 5:01 AM Report Abuse

Great that your parents started the Witterzomer in 1952 and that you lived there for 20 years! It sounds like the perfect place to grow up.
SLLiew Mar 25, 2008 at 2:54 PM Report Abuse

Enjoyed a quick virtual tour of Assen. Magnificent Dutch buildings. Cheers, SL :)
benazer Jul 2, 2006 at 12:59 PM Report Abuse

Assen looks very nice too,I will have to come again to see more places of your country and world.
JLBG Sep 8, 2005 at 8:13 PM Report Abuse

The handle of the water-pump is superb ! I am crazy with hand twisted wrought iron ! I understand that you have a great many memories in this place and that it means much for you ! Amazing Drogisterij Griever !
matcrazy1 Apr 25, 2005 at 9:31 AM Report Abuse

I've never heard of Assen, Netherlands (but Essen, Germany). What an ingnorance! This city has a lot of places to visit, things touch and taste... Thanks for sharing.
Toyin Mar 6, 2005 at 7:34 AM Report Abuse

Great page, excellent information, Thanks for sharing.
BarbaraForza Jan 26, 2005 at 1:18 PM Report Abuse

Kloosterstraat, very nice... so thanks to Assen!!!
babar_1 Sep 28, 2004 at 3:28 AM Report Abuse

Great page and useful information. Thanx
dr.firas Jun 16, 2004 at 3:29 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic location called Assen, lovely churches, thanks Alije :-)