Groningen (city)

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Coordinates: 53°13′N 6°33′E

Groningen

Location municipality Groningen
Country Netherlands
Province Groningen
Coordinates 53°13′ N 6°33′ E
Area 83.69 km²
- Land 79.59 km²
- Water 4.10 km²
Population (2005) 181,000
- Density 2,274/km²
Boroughs of Groningen
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Boroughs of Groningen

Groningen is the capital city of the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It is nationally known as the "Metropolis of the North", and is with a population of 185,000 by far the largest city in that area. Groningen is a city with a diverse industry and economy and a lot of cultural institutions and activities. It boasts a remarkable large student population (approximately 40,000), which gives the city a young and vibrant atmosphere.

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[edit] History

The city was founded on the northernmost point of the "Hondsrug" area. The most ancient written document pointing out that Groningen's existence emanates from the year 1040. However, it is widely known the city already existed a long time before that year, for the oldest archaeological traces found are believed to stem from the years 3950-3720 BC and the first real civilization in Groningen has been traced back to the third century.

In the 13th century, when Groningen was an important trade centre, its inhabitants built a city wall so as to claim its authority. The city indeed had a very strong influence on its surrounding lands and made its dialect a common tongue. The most powerful period of the city was the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province of Friesland was mainly under its regime. During these years, the Martini Tower was built which loomed over the city at 127 metres tall. It was the highest building in Europe at that time. But an end came to the city's independence when it chose to join forces with the Spanish during the war in 1594, and later decided to switch sides, joining the Republic of the United Netherlands. In 1614, the University of Groningen was founded, initially only for religious education. In the same period the city expanded rapidly and a new city wall was built. That same wall would later, in 1672, be fiercely attacked by the bishop of Münster, Bernhard von Galen but the wall resisted and Groningen kept its freedom. To date, the resistance is celebrated on 28 August, when the city bustles with music and fireworks.

[edit] Sights

The city did not escape the devastation of the Second World War. Especially the main square, Grote Markt, was largely destroyed in april 1945, at the end of the war. However, the Martini Tower and its church, the 'Goudkantoor' (Gold office) and the City Hall were not damaged.

Turning west on the Grote Markt leads to the Vismarkt, another large city square. Behind the Korenbeurs, a medieval building which now houses a supermarket, towers the church the A-kerk, the city's second-highest church. Turning even more to the west, the canal called "Hoge der A" boasts medieval residential buildings and warehouses. Groningen's train station, (Centraal Station) is also famous for its restored arrivals hall, containing a painted high ceiling dating back from 1896.

Main building of the University of Groningen
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Main building of the University of Groningen
View from the Martini Tower
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View from the Martini Tower
The Aa Church
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The Aa Church
The Herestraat, the main shopping street
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The Herestraat, the main shopping street
A modern Church in south Groningen
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A modern Church in south Groningen

[edit] Art, culture and nightlife

Groningen is considered to be the only real city in the northern part of the Netherlands. Although it has a relatively small population for a city, it does have a role as the main centre of this part of the country, concerning music, arts, education, business and cuisine. The earlier mentioned great number of students living in Groningen also attributes to an impressive diverse cultural scene for a city of its size

[edit] Museums

The most important and most famous museum in Groningen is the Groninger Museum. After the construction of its extravagant new home, the building has transformed into one of the most modern and innovative museums in the Netherlands. The city also has its own science museum, a comics museum and even a tobacco museum.

[edit] Theatre and music

Groningen has its own City Theatre (Stadsschouwburg), located on the Turfsingel, a big theatre and concert venue called "Martini Plaza" and another major cultural venue on the Trompsingel, called the "Oosterpoort." Then there is "Vera" located on the Oosterstraat, "Grand Theatre" on the Grote Markt and "Simplon" on the Boterdiep.

[edit] Nightlife

Groningen's nightlife is due its students population and cultural scene vibrant and remarkable for its size. Especially the Grote Markt, the Vismarkt, and the Poelestraat and Peperstraat are crowded at night, especially on Thursdays and Fridays when some bars don't close until 7 in the morning. One of the most famous and biggest places to have a drink or dance is the "Drie Gezusters," which is a complex of more than 15 areas, with a very mixed public. In 2006 Groningen was elected "de beste binnenstad" (the best town center) of the Netherlands.

[edit] Sister cities

The city is twinned with the following cities[1]:

And with the state of United States Michigan in the United States

[edit] Politics

The city council has 39 members. The left wing parties PvdA and GroenLinks are the largest. After the elections in 2002, they formed a coalition with CDA and VVD. Jacques Wallage has been the mayor since 1998. As a result of the elections of 2006, three left wing parties (PvdA, GroenLinks and SP), decided to form a new coalition, which was appointed on April 26th, 2006.

[edit] Industry

There are two sugar factories in Groningen, operated by CSM and Suikerunie respectively. The factories produce around 600,000 tonnes of beet sugar annually (2005 figures).

[edit] Transport

Groningen has been called the "World Cycling City" since nearly 50% of journeys within the city are made by bicycle. The city is very suitable for those who want to get around without a car, as it has an extensive cycle network, good public transport services, and a large pedestrianized zone in the city centre.

Railways:

Buses:

Road (Motorways):

Airport:

[edit] Football stadium

FC Groningen

The football (soccer) stadium of FC Groningen is called Euroborg. Opened in January 2006, the stadium has 20,000 seats. The Euroborg is nicknamed De groene kathedraal (the green cathedral) and De groene hel (the green hell). Opponents gave this second nickname because of FC Groningen's' reputation of being difficult to beat at home. The former football stadium of FC Groningen is the Oosterpark Stadion (12,500 seats).

[edit] Born in Groningen

[edit] See also

 Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Battle of Groningen

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sister cities on the city web site

[edit] External links


 
Groningen Province

Appingedam | Bedum | Bellingwedde | Delfzijl | Eemsmond | Groningen | Grootegast | Haren | Hoogezand-Sappemeer | Leek | Loppersum | De Marne | Marum | Menterwolde | Pekela | Reiderland | Scheemda | Slochteren | Stadskanaal | Ten Boer | Veendam | Vlagtwedde | Winschoten | Winsum | Zuidhorn
Netherlands | Provinces | Municipalities| map
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