Almost exactly THREE years ago, before Astrid and I bought our Granny Towanda (Daihatsu Cuore car), we took 2 trains in February 2010 to Groningen, some 120 miles to the NE of us. It was an all-day affair for us and our biggest trip after my arrival to the Netherlands the previous December.
Not only did I make no post of that trip whatsoever here on this blog, I didn't even have a tag word for Groningen. Today I will make up for that lost cause!
The 1866 Groningen train station, for starters, is called the cathedral of the winged wheel.
The statue of the horse and its owner (“Uncle Loeks’ horse) has been there since 1959.
First impressions are always important, of course.
Straightaway from the train station you walk across the city canal to city center.
You can see how cold it was...in February.
You know me and spires. This was the first one we saw.
It belongs to the Aa Church from 1247!
Sadly, it wasn't open that day.
Whenever we walk to any city's center, we always get impressions.
That was the first day I ever saw snowdrops with my own eyes!
Within minutes...another spire.
This one is from the University of Groningen, founded in 1614.
It's one of the oldest and largest universities in the Netherlands and was voted its best in April, 2012.
The mother of all spires in Groningen, however, is the Martinitoren (Martini Tower) of the Martini Church.
Right there on the market square, it dominates everything.
You should know by now that I also love clock towers and sundials.
B I N G O.
Before doing anything else, we bought tickets and climbed the 1469 tower.
That's where I got my classic views of all the landmark spires...as well as the market square.
And, oh, I even got the windmill there in the background, far, far away (top center above)!
Lucky for us, the Martinikerk was open! It's Groningen's oldest church, from 1225.
Much of the wall and ceiling paintwork has been preserved.
The choir dome of the church is 25 meters tall, surrounded by mural stations of the cross.
I could have spent LOTS of time there and would love to go back one day.
Another fabulous spire is from the 1602 Provinciehuis, seat of the provincial government.
It's a stone's-throw away from the Martinikerk, in the same neighborhood
as the beautiful churchyard houses (Martinikerkhof), top above.
And lastly, at the end of our day, another spire is from the Jozefkerk, 1885.
Officially, this is the Cathedral Church of Saints Martin and Joseph...
...which is why the St. Martin statue (middle left above) is in this church.
The legend of Martin of Tours, b. 316-397, is well worth a read: While a Roman soldier, he cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar...and later dreamed the beggar was Jesus.
Those random acts of kindness...really do count!
On that inspirational note, it was time to head back home,
with impetus to get back to the Winter Olympics from Vancouver, February 12-28, 2010.
We visited Groningen on February 20, 2010!
It's a stone's-throw away from the Martinikerk, in the same neighborhood
as the beautiful churchyard houses (Martinikerkhof), top above.
Those random acts of kindness...really do count!
with impetus to get back to the Winter Olympics from Vancouver, February 12-28, 2010.
We visited Groningen on February 20, 2010!
