Heritage and culture in Westerkwartier
From music to art to history. Beautiful stories can be found in the Westerkwartier region. We take you past centuries-old churches, monuments and special locks. Experience it for yourself on a tour of Westerkwartier.
Jazz in the Westerkwartier
Various locations - If you like jazz, the Westerkwartier is the place to be. In the medieval church of Feerwerd, 'Jazz in Feerwerd' organises around eight concerts every year. Here, well-known names and young talent from the world of jazz and improvisation perform. The beautiful gardens on De Gast in Zuidhorn host the free biennial festival 'Jazz te Gast'. The village will then be transformed into the absolute centre of European jazz for a day. For more than 35 years, you can join the Summer Jazz Tour in the last weekend of August. You cycle past medieval churches and barns through the Reitdiepdal. At these unique locations, you will be surprised with concerts by exciting impro-jazz artists from all over the world.
Monument Haringeters
Niekerk - The monument Haringeters was created by sculptor Harm Blanken in 1983, in honour of Menno Jeltema. This Niekerker left a large piece of land to the Pepergasthuis in the city of Groningen in 1476. He did so on the condition that the guesthouse would donate a tonne of herrings to the poor of Niekerk every year on the Wednesday before Easter. In 1979, this obligation was redeemed, but the tradition is still kept alive by the Menno Jeltema Foundation.
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Aduarderzijl
Aduarderzijl - Come and enjoy the extraordinary locks of Aduarderzijl. The lock from 1400, then made of wood, provided water drainage around the city of Groningen. During the St Martin's Flood in 1686, this lock was completely swept away. Today, two locks can be found: a western sluice (built in 1706) and an eastern one (built in 1867). If you come by bike or walk, you can take the Reitdiepveer to the other side of the Reitdiep from here. You can spend the night at the adjacent campsite and for a cup of coffee you can stop by the rest stop.
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Monument Waterwolf
Oldehove - The monument gemaal de Waterwolf stands on the Reitdiep and is one of the largest pumping stations in the Netherlands. In 1920, the electric boezem pumping station began its important task; draining water from a large part of the province of Groningen and the head of Drenthe. The water pumping station still works at full speed and is definitely worth a visit. Nearby Electra can be found along the Reitdiep in the beautiful National Landscape Middag Humsterland. Moor your boat in the harbour here or come and swim in the open-air swimming pool.
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Visit churches in Oostum, Midwolde and Fransum
Various locations - Walking along the paths of centuries-old churches, that's what you do in the Westerkwartier. The churches in Oostum, Midwolde and Fransum were (partly) built in the late Middle Ages and are known for their fairytale atmosphere. All the churches have sights not to be missed. For example, in the church of Oostum you will admire and hear a medieval swinging bell depicting the seven apostles. For the impressive and world-famous mausoleum of the former owners of borg Nienoord, visit the church of Midwolde. Fransum's pulpit is not made of wood, but of masonry bricks. This makes it the only medieval pulpit made of bricks in the province of Groningen.
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