What to See in Groningen

This is an old Roman Catholic hospital outside the city centre, in the South of the city, located in the former village of Helpman. The hospital itself was abandoned in 1978, after which it was squatted. Until 1986, the Oude RKZ was the largest squat in The Netherlands and possibly in the whole of Europe. In 1986 the government allowed the squat to be legalized.…

The Martinikerkhof used to be a cemetery, but since 1828 it is no longer in use. The cemetery has been transformed into a beautiful square, an oasis of peace. Prominent on the Martinikerkhof is the Martini Church. On the east side of the square stands the 'Provinciehuis', the seat of the provincial government.…

Just a short walk from the Grote Markt, the lovely Renaissanse gardens of the Prinsenhof can be a remarkably peaceful place to relax for a little while. It has a rose garden a herb garden and The Prinsenhof building originates in the 15th century and was originally a wealthy mansion for the city's bisshop or "stadtholder", and later was used as a military hospital.…

The [http://www.rug.nl/ Rijksuniversiteit Groningen], the University of Groningen, is the second-oldest university in the Netherlands and one of three State Universities of the Netherlands. It was established in 1614. While the university has its share of modern buildings, both in and out of town, the Academiegebouw is an old and attractive building with a tower and worth strolling past.…

The Wall House is a building in the south of the city located on the banks of Hoornsemeer (Lake Hoorn). The building is one of the few realized designs to which the renowned American architect John Hejduk owes his fame. The building is a structure of reinforced concrete for the wall and columns, with a steel-framed corridor, wood stud walls, and a stucco exterior.…

This beautifully decorated building on the edge of the Grote Markt is hard to miss. Built in 1635, it originally served as the office for the city receiver. The words Date Caesari quae sunt Caesaris, Lating for render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, still reminds of this early function of the building.…

This beautiful medieval church with its remarkable yellow-painted tower stands tall above the neighbouring Korenbeurs. Establised between 1425 - 1492, the churches tower was repeatedly destroyed and replaced, with the current one originating in 1711 after the one before suddenly collapsed.…

A strange and wonderful little museum located just off Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat. Temporary exhibitions, often of a technological bent, are held on the first floor; upstairs (past an elaborate stained-glass window in the stairwell) is an eclectic collection in the Victorian style, with everything from anatomical specim…

Remains of the old citywalls, transformed into a public park. The earth ramparts were incorporated in the park architecture and the moats were turned into ponds. The architecture is of an English garden style, characterized by meandering paths and serpentine ponds, inspired by wild nature.…

One of the most famous sites in Groningen. Its name has nothing to do with the drink, by the way, but refers to Saint Martin. Though locals call the tower d' Olle Grieze which means 'the old grey one' and is related to its colour. Tickets are available in the VVV (tourist information) shop just over the road.…

Everyone with an interest in gardens, flowers and plants, should visit the Hortus Haren in Groningen. It is without a doubt one of the most impressive botanical gardens in the Netherlands. Hortus Haren was established in the 17th century and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Holland.…

The Jewish Memorial commemorates the more than 3000 Jewish inhabitants of Groningen who were deported and murdered during the Second World War. It is made by Eduard Waskowsky out of six hands each having their own expression. The 7th hand is missing, because Waskowsky died during the making of the memorial.

Just opposite train/bus station. Spectacular architecture. Hosts state of the art of contemporary art in the world. Named one of the five most progressive modern/contemporary art collections in the world, this museum's changing exhibitions regularly attract visitors from all over the country.

The synagogue was built after the oriental design of the New Synagogue in Berlin. Shortly after WWII the Jewish community was forced to sell the synagogue since only a mere 7% of the entire Jewish community of Groningen survived the war. In 1981 the building was renovated and rehabilitated.

The Dutch cartoon museum (strip = cartoon) has opened in 2004 and shows many cartoons made by Dutch cartoonists. It's also suitable to visit with children (not least because there's a McDonalds next-door with a play area), but also because they can learn how to draw cartoons by themselves.

The Museum Canadian Allied Forces depicts the history of the liberation of the north of the Netherlands in 1945 by the Canadians, with a particular emphasis on the liberation of the city of Groningen. Only open for 4 days per month, see website for exact opening days.

The Stadspark is an approximately 140 hectare park on the southwest side of the city in the Stadsparkwijk. The park was created at the beginning of the twentieth century, designed by landscape architect Leonard Springer.

The northern museum of water transport. Shows the history and role of transport over water until the 1970s. The museum is situated in the oldest residential building remaining in the city.

GR-ID is a museum about graphical industry, art and design. The museumcollection is mainly drawn from the province of Groningen and has been put together over a course of several decades.

St Joseph's Cathedral is the cathedral church of the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden. The Neo-Gothic church was built from 1885 to 1887 and consecrated on May 25, 1887.

The Infoversum was the only full dome 3D theatre in The Netherlands, but unfortunately closed in 2015. But this incredible building is still worth to walk along.