Introduction
144km (89 miles) NE of Amsterdam; 51km (32 miles) E of Leeuwarden
Groningen, the capital city of Groningen province, is commercially and industrially important, and sits atop one of the world's largest natural gas fields -- holding 2.7 trillion cubic meters (95 trillion cubic feet) of the stuff, if you must know. Cars are banned from the Old Town, which is enclosed by a moat. Part of the center city was destroyed during World War II, but much of its medieval and 16th- and 17th-century heritage survived and has been preserved. The University of Groningen was founded in 1614, and a student population of 45,000, from a total city population of 185,000, gives the town a lively character.
more local info
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Groninger Museum
Emerging like some exotic alien plant out of the gray waters of the Verbindingskanaal, the museum added a surprising touch to this sober northern...
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Martinitoren
The 15th-century Martinikerk (St. Martin's Church), across from the Grote Markt, is not easily missed, thanks to its lofty tower. Begun in 1469,...
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Noordelijk Scheepvaart en Niemeyer Tabaksmuseum (Northern Maritime and Niemeyer Tobacco Museum)
Housed in two medieval buildings, the first part of this interesting twin museum traces the rich history of Groningen's shipping industry, through...
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