Holiday apartment in Emmer-Compascuum: Canals, peatland and village culture

Canals, peatland and local history

Emmer-Compascuum can be explored through its canals, its connection to the peatland and its tangible historical traces. The Stads-Compascuumkanaal was dug through the peatland from 1877 onwards and connected to the canalised stream De Runde. The Oosterdiep was built as a southern side canal; the village centre developed at the junction of De Runde and the Oosterdiep. When choosing a holiday apartment in Emmer-Compascuum, you can use this spatial history as a guide and focus your holiday on history, water, activity and events.

Art, a windmill and special buildings

The Sint Willehaduskerk was built in 1923 to a design by the architect Herman Kroes. The Grenszicht windmill was built in 1907 using parts of a redundant polder windmill from Oude Pekela. Since 2002, the windmill has housed a museum illustrating life around 1920. A new exhibition is assembled every eight weeks at Galerie Beeldbrengers. This gives you different ways to explore architecture, crafts, everyday history and contemporary art in Emmer-Compascuum.

Watercourse, sculpture and cycle path

The De Veenvrouw sculpture was installed in 1979 in the square at the junction of the Runde, Hoofdkanaal and Oosterdiep in Emmer-Compascuum. The Runde is a peatland stream that rises in the Zwarte Meer. Cyclists follow the Runde to Emmer-Compascuum; there, the river continues to flow through the village. For an active day plan, this watercourse thus combines the landscape with the village, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one way of exploring the area.

Swimming, fishing and views

The Emmer-Compascuum outdoor swimming pool has four pools as well as a large play area with football and beach volleyball courts. The Recreatievijver Emmer-Compascuum is mainly used as a fishing pond. There is also a bathing area with a beach and sunbathing lawn on its northern side. The Schuilmijt observation tower near Emmer-Compascuum is connected to Stage 6 of the Noaberpad long-distance trail. This allows you to choose between swimming, playing, fishing, observing the water and enjoying views along a long-distance hiking trail for your days on holiday.

Festivals, music and peatland tradition

The events calendar also highlights several sides of the village. Garden concerts take place in the Hoofdmeesterstuin; during the summer months, it is regularly used as an open-air stage for talented musicians. The Sinterklaas festival is held annually in Emmer-Compascuum and includes an arrival and a procession. The annual Sint Maarten evening walk features music and a set route walked together with the villagers. Stichting Beeldbrengers co-organises the annual Kunstmarkt Compas. Carnival in Emmer-Compascuum is connected with the peatland landscape because peat workers from Germany brought the Catholic faith with them, in which carnival plays an important role.

A seasonal taste

In November and December, Grenszicht grinds special blends of four types of grain for Spekdikken, Kniepertjes and pancakes. This clearly defined seasonal connection to regional food can play just as much a role in your travel planning as the summer concerts, annual festivals or water-based activities. When choosing your accommodation in Emmer-Compascuum, organise your days around the themes you actually want to experience: culture, landscape, activity, family time or seasonal events.

More places to include in your travel plans

For further travel planning, you can also explore Emmen, Nieuw-Amsterdam, Erica, Weiteveen, Zwartemeer, Schoonebeek and Roswinkel.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Emmen.