Holiday apartment in Zweeloo: Art, nature and special routes

Art and village history in Zweeloo

Zweeloo is an artists’ village with numerous galleries and studios. Together with Aalden, Benneveld, Meppen and Wezup, the village forms “Kunstenaarsdorp Zweeloo”, which is a member of Euroart, the European Federation of Artists’ Colonies. Particularly striking are the attractive Saxon farmhouses along Marktstraat, Kruisstraat and Klooster.

The so-called Princess of Zweeloo’s grave is also one of the village’s notable historical features. The grave was excavated, and foreign jewellery was among the items found there. The workshop of blacksmith Masselink offers another insight into the region’s culture. It is a notable point along the Coevorden Culture Trail between Zweeloo and Wezup.

Routes through De Stroeten and the surrounding area

The De Stroeten stream valley lies between the esh fields of Zweeloo and Benneveld. The area can be explored via an unmarked 5.5-kilometre walking route. Orchids bloom there in spring. There are also several other routes: the “DichterBij Zweeloo” walking route passes through Zweeloo and Aalden and is 6 kilometres long. The “DichterBij Zweeloo” cycling route runs through Zweeloo, Aalden, Meppen and Wezup and is approximately 21 kilometres long. At its junctions, information boards provide additional information about the surrounding area.

The 8-kilometre “Symfonie van kleur” Van Gogh walking route passes through Oud-Aalden and Zweeloo. It starts at Hoofdstraat 15, 7851 AA Zweeloo. In the field, it is marked with brown-and-white signposts; there is a route guide and information boards along the way.

Church, outdoor art and creative experiences

The Hervormde Kerk van Zweeloo, dating from the 13th century, was sketched by Vincent van Gogh in 1883. The church at De Wheem 10 is a Rijksmonument, a listed national heritage site. Its inventory includes a pulpit dating from 1702 and a bell from the 13th century. The church also houses the Tourist Info Zweeler Kerk, which provides tourist information as well as cycling and walking routes for the surrounding area.

The BuitenExpositie displays a total of 20 panels featuring images of paintings outdoors on the characteristic village greens of Aalden, Benneveld, Meppen, Wezup and Zweeloo; it is accessible at any time. The BrinkenExpositie cycling route leads to the 13th-century church in Zweeloo. At “Vincents Atelier”, participants can choose from 10 workshops using various techniques and materials. The workshops are led by local artists and form a series of creative activities organised by Kunstenaarsdorp Zweeloo.

Water and events

For a change of pace from culture and routes, the Zwembad Zweeloo outdoor swimming pool offers a leisure pool, a 25-metre pool and a separate toddlers’ pool. It also has a water slide, sunbathing lawn, terrace, lockers and parking. Another established part of village life is the annual pop concert: it has been held in Zweeloo since 1982, from 1982 to 1985 under the name Jongerendag and since 1986 as Sweelpop. Today, Sweelpop takes place at the ’t Alterbarg event venue in Zweeloo.

Discover more destinations

Dalerveen, Oosterhesselen, Wezup, Schoonoord, Meppen, Erm, Gees, Benneveld

To the higher-level travel overview: Coevorden.