1. Salamander in lantaarnpaal
The Noorderplantsoen, Groningen's pride and joy. Students picnicking there, children climbing the pyramid of ropes, the music dome. You think you've seen it all. In summer, sometimes even turtles walk in the park, we are no longer surprised by anything. But: do you know where the salamander in the lamppost is? Because you walk or cycle right past it. Keep your eyes peeled.
Tip: you will find the salamander at the south entrance
2. Foot carillon
The foot carillon in the Noorderplantsoen is a work by Alfons van Leggelo. You play it, as the name suggests, with your feet. The nine bronze tiles each have a different key. Stap on one of the tiles and you make music. This way, you can not only bring out the artist in you, but also the musician. Former city poet Stefan Nieuwenhuis wrote a poem about it.
Noorderplantsoen
3. Muurschilderingen Veldstraat - Zwarteweg
Back in time for a moment: the streets you walk now used to be empty. There were some vegetable gardens (hence Moesstraat) and you had the 'Road to the Rice Camps'. Rice? No, willows. Wood from the willows is called rice wood and the trees here grew out of the ground like weeds. The 'Weg naar de Rijskampen' was renamed Zwarteweg in the 19th century. Why that name? The road surface at the time had that colour. It can be that easy. Today, you can't imagine that there used to be virtually nothing here. All the cosy bargee houses, the palm tree and the eccentric people walking around make it a lively neighbourhood. A living colouring book thanks to the murals by Mathieu Keuter you see here and there. So keep your eyes peeled.
Veldstraat - Zwarteweg
4. Circus clyde takes you on a journey
It can occasionally be quite a circus in the city. Familiar from the route, Klaas Lageweg, knows that all too well. In the parkeergarage Circus, you can drive your car straight into the circus tent. It is not for nothing that he found his inspiration in acrobats and clowns; this area used to be the stage for the circus tents that came to town.
Parkeergarage Boterdiep (85)
5. Graffiti Simplon
Groningen hip-hop formation Dope D.O.D. is world-famous in the hardcore rap and hip-hop scene, but many Groningers have never heard of the rappers. Artist Michel Velt felt that the Groningen hero, Jay Reaper, received too little attention from Stadjers. He decided to paint a huge portrait of him that adorns the alley between Boterdiep and Poppodium Simplon. Now no one can ignore Jay. Formerly a grubby alleyway, but thanks to Michel's art revamped into a cosy street where everyone and everyone is watched by Jay.
Boterdiep 69
6. Gevelhert
He is hardly noticeable and yet he has been watching everything for decades: the deer on the façade of the corner building where Oude Ebbingestraat and Turfsingel intersect. The deer didn't just end up there, of course. If you look closely, you can see that the statue is inscribed with the words 'Apotheek' and 'Dr. H.G. Zaaijer'. On this spot, Mr Zaaijer had established his pharmacy. Chemists and pharmacists used to use the deer's head more often as a sign. In those days, people used to extract deer horn salt from the animal's antlers. This was used for faintness and other situations where a pick-me-up was needed. The grape sugar of yesteryear.
Corner of Oude Ebbingestraat & Turfsingel
