Groningen Off The Beaten Path

Sitting on the terrace of the Groninger museum keep your eyes on the water. If a boat is passing get your camera out, the attraction is to come.......

When the drawbridge is opened you can see the downside, it is entirely filled with delftsblue tiles.

Some of the most beautifull buildings can be found just outside of the centre.
This very wide building in the Oude Boteringestraat dates from different centuries, but is made to one building through renovations. The oldest part is from the 15th century. Since 1755 it was the provincial courthouse untill the court moved to the Guyotplein. The building is now in use by the university.

In 1624 the old city gate at the Boteringestraat was broken down, together with the old earthen wall. Major Heerdt asked the citycouncil to built a place where his soldiers could be stationed on the open space that was created. And so it happened. The building was put here in 1634. Originally it were only soldiers, but later also firemen and parts were in use by the university.

Today it is private property and turned into an inn.

Normally you would keep away from the hospital as far as possible. But the AZG (Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen) is a great building to visit. The huge hallways give it a sort of covered city look. All around you will find art objects. In august 2003 there also was an exhibition on 100 years hospital in Groningen. At the informatiebalie near the entrance, you can obtain a free art and architecture brochure.

Adres: Hanzeplein 1

A part of the old hospital building is still standing and worth looking at. It can be seen at the Oostersingel. Look for the old inscriptions above the doors.

Since in 1614 the university was started and dr. Nicolaus Mulerius came to teach one can study to be a doctor in Groningen. End of the 18th century dr Evert Jan Thomassen à Theusink started an academic hospital in order to give practical lessons 11 november 1797 the Nosocomium Academicum is opened. It soon is too small. And in 1803 another hospital is opened.
In 1817 the city Groningen is threathened by a tyfoid epidemic. And the citycouncil also starts a hospital. In 1852 the Nosocomium Academicum and the city hospital become the Algemeen Provinciaal Stads- en Academisch Ziekenhuis. The succes is great and a new building is located at Oostersingel. It was opened in 1903.The buildingcomplex is very modern, there is light, space and hygiene. The hospital is a huge succes and the university devellops new technics. 8 may 1957 the first openhart surgerie in the Netherlands is performed in Groningen. The hospital is growing and soon there is no garden left, all buildings.
In the 70s a discussion starts about a new building. In 1997 the new AZG is opened. The building is adjacent to the old hospital.

On this pic the 5 pipes, welcoming sign when travelling back home. They were from the electricity company, some years ago they were thorn down. Many people still regret that they are no longer there.
Next to it the new building of the Gasunie (Gas Company (?), now the highest building of Groningen.

Guess what? Groningen has its own 'red light district' so there's no need to go to Amsterdam to see scarsely dressed ladies sitting behind windows. Oh boy, how spectacular. This is for those who like this sort of thing of course. If you don't like it don't go, or if you hate it do go and make sure the ladies are out of business soon thanks to the tourists scaring away the customers.

(Hey, I don't care about these things, but apparently the average tourist does. This tip is just a little service to those people.)

When you walk around you sometimes get to see funny things. My friends and I discovered that the usually plastic models that are in windowshops for clothes that stood here were quite real :) It was done for a campaign stunt.

Go to the island 'Schiermonnikoog'. Take a bus to 'Lauwersoog' and a boat from there. It is OK for a daytrip, but if you really want to enjoy it, stay overnight. Again, rent a bike, or stroll along the stretched beaches and take a hike in the sand dunes. One of my personal favorites.

Visit the outdoor 'Noorderzon' theater festival. Every year at the end of august the picturesque park called 'Noorderplantsoen' is turned into a festival terrain were all kinds of music and theatergroups perform. There are streetperformers, outdoor cafes, artworks etc.
An admissionprice is asked for the bigger events, and sometimes you have to reserve in advance. But, even if you only go there to have a beer, the people and the atmosphere are simply the best. Ohhh I miss Groningen!

The dates and info about the 2001 festival are expected around may this year. Check out their Dutch Website for foto's of this years festival.

PS 'Noorderzon' means 'Northern sun'