Piloersemaborg

Canals, moats and stone of yesteryear

In the days of the jonkers, the province of Groningen was full of borgen. Just a 15-minute drive from the city stands the only remaining borg farm in the Netherlands, the Piloersemaborg. The combination of farmhouse antiques, stately architecture and stuffed animal enclosures brings 19th-century history to life in a visible, tangible and smelly way.

Hidden among trees

The borg farm near Den Ham, therefore sometimes called the Hamsterborg, is beautifully hidden in the flat land. First you have to look past rows of tall trees and then the building also appears to be behind a wide moat. The current borg was built in 1633. Of course, things have changed over the years, but the atmosphere of the life of the squires of the time can be felt both outside and inside the building.

Broken stone

There had been a borg here before, but it had suffered so much during the Eighty Years' War that, according to the deed of sale, there was little left but "canals, moats and broken stone". But even the present borg had hardly survived the ravages of time. Like most borgen, Piloersemaborg was in poor condition at the end of the last century. Fortunately, the borg farm was thoroughly refurbished again. Today, the Piloersemaborg goes through life as an atmospheric hotel. The guest rooms are located in the former barn and on the upper floor of the middle house.

More information

Also discover

Don't miss anything from Groningen

Get the best tips for Groningen in your inbox every month? Subscribe to the Groningen newsletter below