Nicolaaskerk Onstwedde
The Gothic Nicolaaskerk of Onstwedde in the Groningen municipality of Stadskanaal was built around 1500. The more than 41-metre-high Juffertoren tower is at least a century and a half older than the church.
Take a closer look
There is a similar tower in Schildwolde (and formerly in Holwierde). Juffertorens are distinguished within Groningen by their brick spire. The name refers to a juffer; a slender, pointed spruce; the same shape as the tower spires have. Attached to these 'juffer towers' is a legend about three wealthy sisters. They did nothing but party and dance, but at some point they saw that they were doing no good with their wealth. Although they had always been together, they decided to part ways. They made a promise to build a tower in honour of God wherever they ended up. Thus, three similar towers came to stand: in Holwierde, Schildwolde and Onstwedde