Korenbeurs
Where grain became money
Right in the centre of Groningen stands a building with an imposing façade: the Korenbeurs. This is where grain was traded during the heyday of Groningen’s grain cultivation. Dozens of traders would gather here to secure a good price for their grain. Although it now houses a supermarket, the Korenbeurs features in the Top 100 of Dutch UNESCO monuments.
Cast iron with glass
On the west side of the Vismarkt , a‘korenbeurs’has stood since the mid-18th century. By the mid-19th century, the grain trade was thriving to such an extent that the building became too small. Conducting business in a nearby café (Huis de Beurs) served as a reasonable stopgap solution, but eventually a larger building was designed. It was also incredibly modern for its time. Behind the neoclassical façade lies a huge market hall with a cast-iron structure and lots of glass. All that glass allowed plenty of light to flood in. This meant that the grain samples, which the traders brought with them in small bags, could be properly assessed.
Groningen’s entrepreneurial spirit
On market days on the Vismarkt, which has been used for markets for centuries, it buzzes with commerce. Not surprisingly, this very spot was chosen for the Korenbeurs. From the market you can also see three statues, one on top of the façade and two in niches. On the ridge is Mercury, the god of trade. The other two are Neptune, god of water, and Ceres, goddess of agriculture. This trio symbolises how the interplay between sophisticated waterways, hard work on land and a good dose of entrepreneurial spirit brought prosperity to the city and surrounding area.
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