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Groningen is the capital city of the province of Groningenmarker in the Netherlandsmarker.With a population of 185,000, it is by far the largest city in the north of the Netherlands.Groningen is a university city, inhabited on average by about 50,000 students.

History

The city was founded on the northernmost point of the Hondsrugarea. The oldest document referring to Groningen's existence dates from 1040. However, the city already existed long before then: the oldest archaeological traces found are believed to stem from the years 3950 BC–3720 BC, although the first major settlement in Groningen has been traced back to the 3rd century AD.

In the 13th century, when Groningen was an important trade centre, its inhabitants built a city wallto underline its authority. The city had a strong influence on the surrounding lands and made its dialecta common tongue. The most influential period of the city was the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province of Frieslandwas administered from Groningen. During these years, the Martini Towermarker was built, which loomed over the city at (then) 127 metres tall, making it the highest building in Europe at the time.The city's independence came to an end when it chose to join forces with the Spanishduring the Eighty Years' Warin 1594. It later switched sides, joining the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

In 1614, the University of Groningenwas founded, initially only for religious education. In the same period the city expanded rapidly and a new city wall was built. That same city wall was tested during the Third Anglo-Dutch Warin 1672, when the city was attacked fiercely by the bishop of Münster, Bernhard von Galen. The city walls resisted, an event which is celebrated with music and fireworkson 28 August (as "Gronings Ontzet" or "Bommen Berend").

The city did not escape the devastation of World War II. In particular, the main square, Grote Markt, was largely destroyed in April 1945, at the Battle of Groningen. However, the Martinitoren, its church, the Goudkantoormarker, and the city hall were not damaged.The battle there lasted several days.

University of Groningen

The University of Groningen (in Dutch: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) has a rich academic tradition which dates back to 1614. After the University of Leiden, it is the oldest university located in the Netherlands. The university educated the first female student and the first astronaut in the history of the country, the first president of the European Bank and a Nobel prize winner. They share their academic roots with around 200,000 people, who were either students, teachers or researchers at the university.

Art, culture and nightlife

Although Groningen is not a very large city, it does have an important role as the main urban centre of this part of the country, particularly in the fields of music and other arts, education, and business. The large number of students living in Groningen also contributes to a diverse cultural scene for a city of its size.

Museums

The most important and most famous museum in Groningen is the Groninger Museummarker.With the construction of its current building, designed by Alessandro Mendini, the museum has been transformed into one of the most modern and innovative of its kind in the Netherlands. In addition, the city also has a maritime museum, a university museum, a comicsmuseum and a tobaccomuseum.

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. Vera is located on the Oosterstraat, Grand Theatre on the Grote Markt, and Simplon on the Boterdiep. Several cafes feature live music, a few of which specialize in jazz music, including Jazzcafe De Spiegel on the Peperstraat. The jazz music students from the Prins Claus Conservatoriumhave been known to hold regular jam sessions in cafes such as Peter Pan on the Voor Het Voormalige Klein Poortje and café De Smederij on the Tuinstraat 2-4. Groningen is also the host city for the Eurosonic Festival, an annual music showcase event for over a hundred bands from all over Europe.

Nightlife

Groningen's nightlife depends largely on its student population. Its cultural scene is vibrant and remarkable for a city of its size. In particular, the Grote Markt, the Vismarkt, and the Poelestraat and Peperstraat are crowded at night, especially on Thursdays and Saturdays when some bars do not close until 7 in the morning. In 2006, Groningen was elected "de beste binnenstad" (the best city centre) of the Netherlands.

Twin towns - sister cities

Groningen is twinnedwith the following cities:

and in addition with the American state of Michiganmarker

Politics

The city council has 39 members. The left-wing parties PvdAand GroenLinksare the largest. After the elections in 2002, they formed a coalition with CDAand VVD. Peter Rehwinkelhas been the mayor since 2009. 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 26, 2006.

Industry

There is a sugarfactoryoperated by CSM. The factory produces around 300,000 tonnesof beet sugarannually (2005 figures).

Transport

Cycling

Groningen has been called the "World Cycling City", since 57% of journeys within the city are made by bicycle. The city is very much adapted to the wishes of those who want to get around without a car, as it has an extensive cycle network, good public transport, and a large pedestrianised zone in the city centre. In the Italian TV programme of investigative journalism "Report" appeared a short film, considering the use of bikes in Groningen a good practice to emulate in Italy.

Rail

There are three stations in Groningen:



The main train station (served by the Nederlandse Spoorwegenand Arriva) has regular services to most of the major cities in the Netherlands.

Direct destinations are:

Road

The A28 motorway connects the city of Groningen to Utrechtmarker (via Zwollemarker and Amersfoortmarker).The A7 motorway connects Groningen to Friesland and Amsterdammarker (South-West) and Winschotenmarker and the direction of Bremenmarker in the East.

Bus

Arriva run several city buses and urban buses. The main routes are:
  • 3: Lewenborg-city centre-main station-Vinkhuizen
  • 6: Beijum-city centre-main station-Hoornsemeer
  • 11: Zernike-city centre-main station
  • 33/39/133: Groningen-Surhuisterveenmarker
  • 50/51: Groningen-Assenmarker
  • 61: Groningen-Bedummarker-Uithuizenmarker
  • 82 Groningen-Roden




There are also direct buses between Groningen (train station) and Bremenmarker (airport) in Germany, run by Public Express.

In the near future, there are plans to build a tram route connecting the central station, the city centre and the university complex (Zernike).

Groningen Airport Eeldemarker is located 10 km south of the centre of Groningen, with scheduled and holiday charter services to European destinations.

Climate

Groningen has a moderate temperate climate, with relative warm summers and cool winters. Weather is influenced by the North Sea to the north-west and its prevailing north-western winds and gales. Winter temperatures are cool: on average above freezing, although frosts are not uncommon during spells of easterly winds blowing in from the inner European continent, i. e. Germany, Russia and even Siberia. Night-time tempuratures of -10 °C or lower are not uncommon during cold winter periods. The lowest temperature ever recorded is -26.8 °C on February 16, 1956. Snow occasionally falls, but rarely stays long due to warmer day-time temperatures. Summers are somewhat warm and humid. Temperatures of 30 °C or higher occur, but most average daytime high's are around 21-24 °C. Very rainy periods are common, especially in spring and summer. Average annual precipitation is about 900 mm.

Football stadium

The football stadium of FC Groningen is called Euroborgmarker.Opened in January 2006, the stadium has 22,600 seats. There are plans to expand the stadium to a capacity of 35- or 40,000 The former football stadium of FC Groningen is the Oosterpark Stadionmarker (12,500 seats).

Born in Groningen



Trivia

  • The city is nationally known as the "Metropolis of the North" and as "Martinistad" referring to the Martini Towermarker.
  • The city is known as "Stad" in the local dialect, which simply translates as City, because Groningen is the only large city in the province of Groningenmarker.
  • Until 2007, in the autumns months, the sugar factory produced a distinct sweet smell that could be detected from most parts of the city. In early 2008, the sugar factory Suiker Unie closed its doors.
  • After playing a show here supporting The Waterboys, Irishmarker musician Mic Christopher slipped and consequently died from head injuries.


See also



References



External links



Boroughs of Groningen
The Aa Church (2004)
The Aa Church by night (2009)
The Herestraat, the main shopping street (2004)
A modern church in southern Groningen (2000)
Month
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Year
Avg high °C

(°F)
 4.6

(41.7)
 5.2

(42.8)
 8.8

(48.6)
12.4

(54.3)
17.2

(62.8)
19.6

(66.6)
21.6

(70.5)
22.1

(71.2)
18.4

(65.1)
13.7

(57.4)
 8.6

(48.6)
 5.7

(43.7)
13.2

(56.1)
Avg low °C

(°F)
 -0.6

(32.9)
 -0.6

(32.4)
 1.4

(36.3)
 2.9

(39.2)
 6.7

(46.0)
9.3

(50.7)
11.5

(54.5)
11.3

(54.1)
9.0

(50.4)
 5.8

(44.6)
 2.7

(39.0)
 0.7

(35.4)
 5.0

(43.0)
Source:

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