Groningen is a city in The Netherlands with 180.000 inhabitants and is the capital of Groningen. Since 1614 the city has its university: the `Rijksuniversiteit Groningen'. The city Groningen was founded around 1100 A.D. and has a rich history, which can clearly be told from the old medieval buildings in the down town area.
The city was founded on the northernmost point of the Hondsrug area. The oldest document referring to Groningen's existence dates from 1040. However, the city already existed long before then: the oldest archaeological traces found are believed to stem from the years 3950 BC–3720 BC, although the first major settlement in Groningen has been traced back to the 3rd century AD.
In the 13th century, when Groningen was an important trade centre, its inhabitants built a city wall to underline its authority. The city had a strong influence on the surrounding lands and made its dialect a common tongue. The most influential period of the city was the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province of Friesland was administered from Groningen. During these years, the Martini Tower was built, which loomed over the city at (then) 127 metres tall, making it the highest building in Europe at the time. The city's independence came to an end when it chose to join forces with the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War in 1594. It later switched sides, joining the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
PLACE TO VISIT
Groninger Museum. Just opposite train/bus station. Spectacular architecture. Hosts state of the art of contemporary art in the world. One of the five most progressive modern/contemporary art collections in the world.
Het Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum. The northern museum of water transport. Shows the history and role of transport over water until the 1970's
Tabaksmuseum 'Roommate' of the scheepvaartmuseum. Collections moderately interesting, but housed in very beautiful, old, authentic ware-houses.
Der Aa-kerk Beautiful church built in the middle ages.
The University of Groningen is the second-oldest university of Holland and one of three State Universities of the Netherlands. It was established in 1614. Some university buildings are located on a campus on the outskirts of the city.
De Grote Markt and De Vismarkt are two large market squares in the center of the city.
WHAT TO DO
Take a guided bike tour : the best way to discover Groningen.
Climb the Martini tower for a nice view over the city.
Take a canal cruise around the historical center.
Walk in het Noorderplantsoen on a sunny day, this is the place to relax after a hard day's work for a lot of students.
Visit the Noorderzon open-air theatre festival in the second half of August, art, comedy, dance and theatre in the Noorderplantsoen.
See a band at Vera underground pop club , where Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the White Stripes and many others performed.
Visit the annual Eurosonic and/or Noorderslag festivals, where dozens of bands from all over the world perform on various stages spread throughout the city.
Take a free bus-ride on the National Day of Architecture organised on Saturday around 21st of June by GRAS-platfrom. Buses leave from Stadsschouwburg on Turfsingel from 11.00 hrs. on. Buses will take you to some highlights of newest architecture.
HOW TO REACH
By train - Groningen has three train stations, the Central Station, the Southern Station (Groningen Europapark) and the Northern Station (Groningen Noord). All trains eventually arrive at the Central Station. There is a direct connection from Schiphol airport, and from Utrecht to Groningen (2-2,5 hrs. ride).
By bus - All buses going to the city of Groningen eventually arrive at the Central Station.
By car - Driving in the old city is not the best option; parking is not always easy to find, none of it free.
There is a Park & Ride facility to the east of the city, near IKEA. It is clearly marked when driving on the ring road. Parking there is free, and for a euro a regular bus service takes you right to (and from) the Grote Markt, the heart of the city, within a couple of minutes.
