Blauwestad

What do you do when the wealth you amassed as a region through cereal cultivation has evaporated and unemployment becomes an increasing problem? Then you roll up your sleeves and build a new village. What was once arable land is now a beautiful residential area surrounded by a large lake with a characteristic nature reserve. The residents of Blauwestad designed their homes themselves or had them designed. The result: architectural gems by the water.

Communism and old cultural heritage that with a new interpretation is becoming booming business again: everywhere in Oldambt you will find examples of plans and ideas that go just a little against the grain. Sober obstinacy runs in the blood of the people here. Only with such an attitude can you come up with a project like Blauwestad. The village on the newly dug lake would attract wealthier people to the region, combat shrinkage and brighten up the overall atmosphere.

No sooner said than done. In 2005, Queen Beatrix turned on the tap, after which some 14 million cubic metres of water formed the more than 8-square-kilometre Oldambtmeer. On the spot where yellow grain used to stand, the wind now makes blue waves and you can enjoy a grand and diverse nature area while walking or cycling. Moreover, with sunny weather, the Oldambtmeer is fantastic for a boat trip. You can hire a sloop, motorboat, sailing boat or canoe at the marina. Over the lake runs the Pieter Smit Bridge, which, at 800 metres long, is the longest cycle bridge in Europe. All in all, a fine example of Groningen pragmatism.

Blauwestad
Blauwestad
De Graanrepubliek
De Graanrepubliek
On the water
On the water
Museums in the province
Museums in the province

Blauwestad

De Graanrepubliek

On the water

Museums in the province

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