Holiday apartment in Onderdendam: Churches, Bridges and Pastureland
Accommodation in Onderdendam
Landscape and village structure
The landscape around Onderdendam is an open clay area used as pastureland for dairy farming. Bridges, churches and historic buildings are part of the village scenery. The Jaagpad has largely retained its small-scale character. Open pastureland, the Jaagpad and the buildings thus form different spatial layers within the village. The coexistence of pastureland and the small-scale path network gives the village its rural character. Visitors interested in culture will find individual buildings in Onderdendam just as noteworthy as the rural setting.
Waterways between the Boterdiep and Het Hogeland
Onderdendam was a waterway hub between the city and Het Hogeland. An important impetus came in the 17th century with the expansion of the towpath canal system. Existing waterways such as the Boterdiep, the Winsumerdiep and the Warffumermaar were widened for this purpose. To this day, Onderdendam’s bridges are prominent points where walking, cycling and boating routes meet. Water engineering and routes come together at the bridges in Onderdendam. For those interested in water engineering, the Boterdiep, Winsumerdiep, Warffumermaar and the bridges are among the village’s distinctive features.
The Molentil is a historic swing bridge over the Boterdiep in Onderdendam. It was built in 1895 and later restored. Surviving features include cast-iron decorations and a classic bridge railing. The swing bridge thus connects its waterside setting with its architectural history. The restoration forms part of the building’s later history.
Churches and protected village character
The Gereformeerde kerk in Onderdendam was built in 1932 to a design by the architect A. Wiersema from Bedum, in a style related to the Amsterdam School. The building is used as an exhibition space. Guided tours are available by arrangement and also include the permanent collection of Amsterdam School furniture. The Amsterdam School is thus represented both in the building’s stylistic connection and in the permanent furniture collection.
The Hervormde kerk in Onderdendam is a Rijksmonument and a church building dating from 1840 on Bedumerweg. In 1987, Onderdendam was designated a protected village. This protected status applies to the village as a whole. The churches from 1840 and 1932 therefore represent two building periods within the same protected village.
Mill and former district court
The Hunsingo mill is also called Molen Haitsma. It is built as an octagonal gallery Dutch windmill and was constructed in 1855 as a grain and barley-peeling mill.
In Onderdendam’s former district court, the courtroom has been completely preserved as a room. Before its later use as a residence, the building was a village tavern called Café Dijk. The hall on the upper floor was used for cultural events such as theatre performances.
Getting there from Groningen
Onderdendam is easily accessible from the city of Groningen via the N994.
Discover more destinations
If you would like to discover another destination in addition to Onderdendam, you can view Bedum.
Return to the main travel overview: Bedum.
