10 x pearls of churches

Groningen is bursting with cultural heritage, and nowhere can you see it better than in the churches of the City & province. Ancient beacons in the landscape, built on mounds and surrounded by stories. From towers even more crooked than Pisa's to refined architecture that has survived generations. Each church is an eye-catcher with its own character, and together they form an indispensable part of Groningen's splendour.

Reformed church

Marktplein 2A, Bourtange - Bourtange: the star-shaped fortress in the Ommeland. Besides ramparts, moats and red-painted drawbridges, you'll also find Bourtange's reformed church. Built in 1869 to replace the old garrison church, Bourtange's church has been a landmark for residents and visitors ever since, thanks to its white colour and its location right in the heart of de fort. This piece of heritage tells stories of the past while being a place for today.

School church

Dorpsweg 69, Garmerwolde - Just a stone's throw from Groningen lies the School Church in Garmerwolde, one of the most beautiful late Romanesque churches in the City & province. The 13th-century brick building surprises with 16th-century vault paintings and visible wall remains of the original cruciform church. The detached tower is the eye-catcher. Indeed, inside, an Escher-like staircase awaits you here, taking you up to the observation tower. From here you have a panoramic view over the vast Groninger countryside and the contours of the city of Groningen. After your exploration, you can settle down in inspiration café OSO. Here you can enjoy fresh coffee, homemade cake or a tasty lunch or brunch at the weekend.

Akerk

Akerkhof 2, Groningen - Next to the Martini Church, de Akerk is the city's most famous church. It cannot be missed with the bustle of the Vismarkt under its feet. This iconic building is one of the city's most important medieval relics. After several heavy damages, including the tower collapse in 1710, de Akerk was given its distinctive yellow colour in 1982. The church's name refers to the, former, river Aa.

St Peter's church

Hoofdstraat 74, Pieterburen - Pieterburen is best known as a starting point for mudflats and Pieterpad walkers. But besides that, you'll also find the impressive Sint-Petruskerk in the middle of the village. The origins of the church date back to the 15th century, when the current building emerged. In the 19th century, the church got its unique tower, while the original detached tower from the 14th century gave way to this new eye-catcher. The weather vane still bears the Alberta coat of arms, a reminder of the influential inhabitants of the nearby manor house Huis ten Dijke. The absolute eye-catcher is the imposing triumphal arch with beautiful carvings. Next to the church you will find 'the vicar's garden', or 'Domies Toen'. This old vicarage garden invites you to take a look and plop down at garden café Bertje Jens. The name of the garden café is a tribute to Bertje Jens, one of the creators of the Pieterpad, who died in 2009.

Kerk Hornhuizen

Breweelsterweg 1, Hornhuizen - In the north of Groningen lies Hornhuizen, a tiny village with around 200 inhabitants. Small? Definitely. But definitely worth exploring. In the middle of the village stands a beautiful church with a striking yellow lantern. The tower once pointed the way to ships on the Wadden Sea, and thanks to a successful restoration, it now shines again as a beacon on the coast. The church itself has been repurposed as a village hall and the tower has been converted into a viewing point. From there, you have a wide view of both the Groningen landscape and the mud flats. So bring your binoculars, climb up and be surprised by what you see.

Walfriduskerk

Plantsoen 2, Bedum - Anyone driving into Bedum cannot miss it: the Walfriduskerk. This special church immediately attracts attention because of its leaning tower. Not just a bit crooked, but more crooked than the famous tower of Pisa. The difference between top and bottom is a whopping 2.61 metres, good for a slope of 4.2 degrees. This makes it the second most leaning tower in the Netherlands, as well as more leaning than the Italian icon. The church has a rich history. Around the 11th century, its heritage was built in honour of Mary and Paul, but soon St Walfridus was given his own place as patron saint. So for a classic 'circumambulation photo', you don't have to go to Tuscany.

Tower church

Torenstraat 46, Ezinge - Ezinge, often called the Pompeii of the North, breathes history. The village gained international fame thanks to unique archaeological finds of farms dating from 600 BC to the fifth century AD. Ezinge lies on an ancient mound, an artificial hill that once provided protection from the sea. In the middle of this elevation stands the medieval Torenkerk church. Built in the 13th century, here you enjoy panoramic views over one of Europe's oldest cultural landscapes.

Church of Warfhuizen

Baron van Asbeckweg 13, Warfhuizen - At the edge of the village of Warfhuizen stands a small church. For more than 20 years, Father Hugo, a hermit and the last one still living in the Netherlands, has lived here. In 2003, the chapel received a special statue: 'the grieved Mother of Warfhuizen', life-size and impressive. Since then, the church slowly but surely turned into a place of pilgrimage. Indeed, the statue attracted visitors from far and wide, from the Netherlands and abroad. And as if that wasn't special enough, the church was later given a rich Baroque interior.

Jacobuskerk

Borgweg 6, Zeerijp - More than a thousand years ago, there was a tufa church or chapel in Zeerijp. In the 13th century, a hall church was built here, and a century later the present brick church took its shape. Today, the history of the past can still be seen. Jacobuskerk is a wonderful example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. The high vaults, pointed arched windows and striking ornamental brickwork, among others, are nods to this. But inside, you will be completely surprised: the interior is completely clad in red brick imitation - a typical Groningen detail that gives the space warmth and individuality.

Martini church

Martinikerkhof 3, Groningen - The Martinikerk is Groningen city's most famous church. But not only that: it is also the oldest. In the heart of the city, this is where you go to explore. As soon as you cross the threshold, you leave the bustle of the city behind and marvel at the centuries-old murals, the famous Martini organ and the colourful stained-glass windows. But there is more: the series 'The 8 Works of Mercy', painted by Egbert Modderman, can also be admired here.