Holiday Apartment in Groenlo – History, Nature and Regional Traditions

Groenlo combines traces of a fortified town with landscapes and regional traditions. The Oude Calixtuskerk, historic canals and bastions, the Natuurpad Leemputten and several cycling routes around the town reveal different sides of Groenlo.

Holiday apartment in Groenlo between church and fortification history

The Oude Calixtuskerk is the oldest building in Groenlo. The church is a Late Gothic pseudo-basilica whose tower dates from 1371. The Late Gothic design and the dated tower give the building a clearly recognisable historical character.

The street layout within Groenlo’s canals is also still the same as it was in the time of the prince. During the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648), Groenlo was fortified with, among other things, a canal, a town wall and bastions. The church and the remains of the fortifications create different focal points in the townscape: one represents sacred architecture, while the others represent fortification history. A ravelin has also been partially preserved in the town.

The Vestingwandeling is a signposted walking route in Groenlo. It runs along Groenlo’s historic canal, various cannons and the cannon-wall fortification. The marked route therefore stays close to specific fortification elements and leads on foot through Groenlo.

Events and Craft Traditions

Slag om Grolle takes place every three years and brings the siege of Groenlo in 1627 back to life with more than 1,600 reenactment participants. The three-year cycle means that the event does not take place every year.

The Grolse Wanten are also part of the town’s local character. They have been hand-knitted from pure wool for more than 150 years. In 2017, the Grolse Wanten were included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Alongside fortifications and architectural history, this represents a textile craft from Groenlo with its own tradition.

Natuurpad Leemputten and Cycling Routes

The Natuurpad Leemputten runs between water-filled clay pits created by clay extraction for a brickworks in Groenlo. The path crosses a footbridge through wet grasslands bordered by strips of woodland. Many waterbirds find a habitat in the area around the Natuurpad Leemputten. The path combines nature observation with the landscape of the water-filled clay pits. For nature observation, water-filled pits, wet grasslands, strips of woodland and waterbirds are all found within a shared landscape.

The areas also differ in character: the townscape features buildings and fortification remains, while the Leemputten path features bodies of water, grasslands and strips of woodland.

Groenlo is a historic starting point for several cycling routes around the town. The signposted Vestingwandeling runs through Groenlo, while the cycling routes run around the town.

Beer Tradition in Groenlo

Beer has been brewed in Groenlo since the 17th century. The brewing tradition therefore represents a different way of experiencing the town than its church architecture and fortifications.

More Destinations for Your Planning

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Back to the main travel overview: Oost Gelre.