Page 283 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

NOR THERN AND EASTERN NE THERLANDS  281

GRONINGEN

The Netherland’s northernmost province is distinguished
by its rich cultural history and unusual landscape, where
you often see terps or small areas of elevated land.
To the north and west it is bounded by the shallow
Waddenzee, and to the east by the Ems river estuary
and the border with Germany.

The terps originated centuries ago, when Bourtange, which is right on the border
the inhabitants of this region needed to with Germany. Conservation areas
protect themselves from high water levels. abound. Close to Lauwersoog, where you
The elevated land is sometimes crowned can catch a ferry to Schiermonnikoog,
by a solitary Romanesque church, visible one of the West Frisian Islands (see p279),
for miles across the fens. Elsewhere in the a vast nature reserve has been estab­
province you will see straight roads and lished. Nearby Pieterburen has a
canals, often evidence of reclaimed land. seal sanctuary.
The region grew rich during the Middle Groningen, the provincial capital, is
Ages from agriculture and peat extraction, proud of its glorious past and boasts a
and the medieval port of Appingedam, wealth of world­class museums, historic
nowadays a little town inland from the buildings and other attractions. A
port of Delfzijl, was once a member of the number of Dutch corporations have their
powerful Hanseatic League. headquarters in this thriving university
Groningen province is also noted for its city, and a further boost to the economy
windmills, castles and moated manor arrived in the 1960s after the discovery in
houses and, in the east, for its restored nearby Slochteren of some of the world’s
fortified towns, such as picturesque largest natural gas deposits.

Hay bales in Westerwolde, near the old fortified town of Bourtange
Fair by the Martinitoren in Groningen, Netherlands

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