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 Herestraat by sim1
The main shopping street in Groningen is the Herestraat. No traffic is allowed here, only shoppers, hahaha, and of course everyone else that likes to walk through here :-)
This picture was taken on a Thursday afternoon, but it can be much crowdier than this. If you go on a Saturday afternoon... beware! It can get very crowded! In the Herestraat are the "big shops" that you can find in every city, for more unique and smaller (but much better I think) shops you have to walk around in the surrounding area.
Shopping hours :
On Thursday evening the shops are opened until 9 o'clock in the evening. On the other weekdays the shops close at 6 o'clock.
A lot of the shops in the city center are closed on the Monday morning.
The shops are closed on Sundays, except for a few Sundays per year which are called "koopzondag" (Buy Sunday). There are extra evening openings during Sint Nicolaas (which is celebrated on the 5th of December, so the shops will be longer open on the days before that). On the 5th of December itself the shops close earlier: at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
The same goes for Christmas, the days before Christmas the shops are opened in the evening until 9 o'clock, but on the 24th (and also 31st) the shops close early : at 5 o'clock. Leave a Comment
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 stadsschouwburg by sim1
This page has come to an end, but before I do I want to show you one more photo. This is the stadsschouwburg / city theatre with its striking soft pink colour. This building is located on the "Turfsingel" and dates back to 1883.
I hope you enjoyed my tour around Groningen and got a bit of an idea what this city is like. And maybe you even got inspired to visit Groningen some day :-))) There is so much more to show you though, but that's for a next time! :-)) I am already making plans for another trip back 'home' and without a doubt I will visit Groningen again. So stay tuned for more 'beautiful Groningen' on this page some time in the future :-) Leave a Comment
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 The oldest part of the
Provinciehuis by sim1
At the "Martini Kerkhof" don't forget to take a look at the left side of the Provinciehuis. You will notice that it is a bit different and much older than the rest of the building. And you are right about that! This is the oldest part of the Provinciehuis and it used to be the St. Meertensschool until 1601. It is not really known when it was built, maybe even before the "St.Martin's Church" was built. But it is certain that it dates back to the early 15th century. Leave a Comment
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 Statue on top of the
Provinciehuis by sim1
On top of the old "Provinciehuis" you can see this little statue. I have no clue who it is, I just thought it looked nice against the wonderful blue sky. I enjoy looking at little details and this "Provinciehuis" has lots of them! The statue however looked extra special against the blue sky, so I had to take a photo of it. Leave a Comment
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 Street organ by sim1
This is the streetorgan in the main shopping street in Groningen.... I never really liked them, but on the other hand I did.... they do give a lot of atmosphere to the city but can be oh so annoying as well.
The distinct sound of the organ, the rattling of the money trays, asking for money... smiling kids looking at the organ, and adults avoiding it by walking in a large bow around it. Hahaha, I used to do that anyway. Makes me smile now though, seeing this picture, and hearing the sound of the organ in the back of my mind.... yes, it was nice, you will enjoy it. And think for a sec of me when you see and hear them...... and let me know if you liked it. Leave a Comment
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 Old factory in Groningen by tompt
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. Leave a Comment
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 Martinikerk, Groningen by tompt
The medieval Martin of Tours (316-397) who was the patron of the diocese of Utrecht to which Groningen belonged for a long period.
According to the legend, St Martin shared his cloak with a beggar suffering from cold. Several paintings in the Church show St Martin as a horseman. He cuts his cloak in two and gives one half to the beggar. His saint's day is 11 November. Leave a Comment
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 Groningen in the boardgame by tompt
The Grote Markt, is the main square and the highest point in Groningen (6m above sealevel), it is the place for nightlife.
The Heerestraat is also in the citycentre, it is a shoppingstreet.
And finally the illusive A-kerkhof (A-graveyard), always wondered what it was when we were young. And now it turned out to be the street surrounding the A-church.
Kerkhof means graveyard, but taken apart it is church (kerk) and garden (hof). Leave a Comment
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 sculptures in front of our
hotel by tompt
If you want to know more about the statues there are organised tours with an expert.
See the website: http://www.burohba.nl/excursie/
Or book through the v v v. Leave a Comment
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 Post office by sim1
When you enter the post office you have to look up and around you. The post office is a big hall, with high walls and ceilings. The whole interior is painted white giving the illusion of an enormous space..... mmmm, maybe it is an enormous space! Hahaha, I do know that I felt quite small in here ;-)) The white colour of the walls and ceilings are probably so striking because of the strong contrast with these little colourful accents, dozens of small figurines.
I don't know how many of these little figures were decorating the walls, about two dozen maybe. I just stared up to look at them, trying to figure out what they symbolised. Luckily my mom was with me to help me remember why I was here.... to buy stamps! I almost forgot as I was just in awe! Hahaha, so with stamps and a lot of ooooh's and aaaaah's later, we went on our way again..... next stop: the bakery!!! :-)
Post office: Munnekeholm 1 Leave a Comment
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