Groningen
Welcome at Groningen
Recently, Groningen was rightfully chosen as the city with the best city centre in the Netherlands. The selection of shops is enormous and incredibly varied. From large chain shops to small and charming ones, anything can be found in Groningen. Books, clothing, shoes, accessories, antiques and furniture: be sure to come fun shopping in Groningen!
As a lively university city, Groningen has the youngest average population in the Netherlands. It has a long and turbulent history, which becomes evident from the historic warehouses, courts and buildings. Groningen is also a city with nerve, with the most numerous examples of innovative architecture within its boundaries. In addition, it was once proclaimed the city with the best city centre in the Netherlands because of its charm. Experience all of this and explore Groningen!
If you were to draw a horizontal line through the centre of the Netherlands, (leaving Amsterdam aside) you would be left with Groningen as the largest city in the top half. This automatically gives Groningen a strategic prominence over a vast area – with all the attendant economic and cultural dynamics that naturally come with that position. Add to this the fact that Groningen has been one of the more popular cities among students for centuries and you quickly realise why people exclaim: ‘… never a dull moment in Groningen!’
In 2007, the European Commission carried out research among the residents of 75 larger and medium-sized cities, one of which was Groningen. The result was striking; the residents of Groningen are Europe’s most contented citizens. Since then, a whole new stream of visitors has started looking at our city; all intent on discovering the ‘Groningen Secret’. This brochure has been specifically produced to assist you and all those fellow explorers.
Among its many wonderful attractions the province of Groningen can count: the tower in Europe that leans the most (Bedum), the Netherlands’ poet laureate (Driek van Wissen), the youngest average city population in the Netherlands, the birthplace of one of the Netherlands’ most famous stand-up comedians Freek de Jonge, the most Italian city north of the Alps, the world’s most beautiful urinal, the most impressive city fortifications, the best Schnittger organs, the smallest hotel, the most comfy, homely bars, the most rapidly expanding harbour, the most northerly megalithic tomb, the largest artificial lake (Oldambtmeer), Rutger Kopland, the winner of the Netherlands’ premier literary award, the most important power and energy pipeline junction, the best bar (De Wolthoorn), the greenest municipality (Haren), the Netherlands’ largest car showroom, Europe’s largest student event (KEI week), the seals’ ‘capital’ / sanctuary Pieterburen, the last clump of Fibrous Tussock-Sedge in the northern Netherlands, the country’s lowest house prices, one of the world’s top five photo festivals (Noorderlicht), Europe’s largest bar (De Drie Gezusters), the highest percentage of students in higher education, the country’s most beautiful building (Gasunie), the best cup of coffee at Doppio and the Netherlands best city centre, and the Netherlands’ very own Olympic gold medallist in swimming, Ranomi Kromowidjojo...
architecture
The city includes apartments, working-class houses, newly-built houses, offices, historic mansions, warehouses, hospices, courts and modern schools and museums; from the old Gold Office to the brand-new Tasman residential tower block, Groningen stands for architecture.
A visit to the architectural city of Groningen starts at one of the most beautiful stations in Europe: the main railway station. The building with its papier-mâché ceiling was designed by Isaac
Gosschalk, completed in 1896 and, after numerous alterations, entirely brought back to its original state in 1999.
Gold offices and warehouses
The Goudkantoor (Gold Office) in Groningen city centre is located behind the 200-year-old city hall and in the centre of the Waagcomplex designed by Italian architect Adolfo Natalini and constructed in 1999. Today the Gold Office, a Renaissance building from 1635, is a restaurant. Groningen is a Hanseatic city which becomes evident from the many historic warehouses, such as at the Noorderhaven.
Modern architecture
Groningen Museum
The much talked-of Groningen Museum designed by Allessandro Mendini houses art and is a work of art in itself.
The Gasuniegebouw is a wonderful example of organic architecture. Architects Ton Alberts and Max van Huut believe that human beings have three protective layers: skin, clothing
and buildings. According to the designers, buildings must be as comfortable as a skin and users must feel the harmony with their immediate surroundings.
The Groningen Public Library in the city centre is located in a building designed in 1992 by Italian architect Georgio Grassi. The modern building is next to the oldest house of
the city of Groningen, the Calmershuis, a stone house that was built around 1250.
Design
The urinal by Rem Koolhaas (with photos by Erwin Olaf) at the Kleine der A, the entrance to the University Museum, the Academie van Bouwkunst (Academy of Architecture), the Wallhouse at the Hoornse Meer that accommodates an artist, writer or architect twice a year, and much more; Groningen is full of design.
University city Groningen Netherlands
Groningen is the city with the youngest population in the Netherlands because of the substantial number of student residents: there are over 50,000 students in higher and university education.
Currently, over 50,000 students are registered at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen and University, where they can choose from 175 courses. The Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen is the largest university of applied sciences in the north of the Netherlands. Students from home and abroad can choose from over seventy training courses in almost any field. The State University has nine faculties, divided over 150 buildings in the entire city and surroundings. The State University is the third university in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Groningen has its very own energy because of the large number of young people in higher or university training. They provide an economic boost to the city and ensure a wonderful nightlife. The cafés and clubs, in particular those at the Grote Markt and in the Poelestraat, are immensely popular among students. There is no fixed closing time, so take the opportunity to enjoy what the city has to offer until the week small hours
Orientation (keiweek) week
At the start of each university year, thousands of students flood the Groningen city centre. During this Keiweek, they are provided with the opportunity to become acquainted with the city when (sports) clubs, events, cultural institutions and political parties in Groningen present themselves to the new Groningen residents.
The University Museum has a collection of medical, physics, biology and psychological instruments and objects which were used at the University of Groningen. There are minerals and fossils as well as illustrations and costumes. In addition to the museological collections, the University Museum also manages various other collections, such as the portrait galleries of university professors.
City of Talent
The Treaty of Groningen is a collaboration between the University of Groningen, the Hanzehogeschool Groningen, the University Medical Centre and the municipality of Groningen with the objective of further developing the city as the ultimate knowledge and innovation city in the north of the Netherlands and to retain Groningen alumni.
