Sign in with Facebook
Willem and Viola
first class travel facilities?
Signage
A canal in GroningenHistory of Groningen
The city of Groningen is first mentioned in a document from 1040. So it is almost 1000 years officially exists, but be sure that it dates back to earlier times. The heart of the city (the Grote Markt) is located at the end of a 60 km long ridge (Hondsrug), which has its highest point here, at 6 m. above sea level. Two small rivers (Hunze and Aa) came from the south and were important for commerce from medieval times until the 19th century. Untill late 19th century the city also had an open connection to the sea. So water was always important here.
During the Middle Ages the city became the most important commercial center of the northern part of the Low Countries. A number of buildings still show how rich the city became during the 14th century. Groningen was a member of the Hanseatic League a powerful mercantile organization in northern europe. Warehouses alongside the Aa-river are dating from this period.
During the War of Independence (1568 – 1648), Groningen changed sides several times. In that time the Netherlands was not a united country. In 1614 the University of Groningen was founded, mainly as a place where the ministers for the new Protestant religion, as well as lawyers and medical doctors, could be educated. The University was given a former monastery right in the heart of the city as its main building.
During recent centuries Groningen saw emerging industries such as dairy food production, textiles, tobacco and breweries. Nowadays these small factories all went and Groningen and surroundings is known for its high rate of unemployability.
