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Region in Groningen, Netherlands
Photo: Wouter Hagens, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Westerwolde is a region in the southeast of in Groningen province in the Netherlands. The region consists of the municipalities of Vlagtwedde and Bellingwedde, that plan to merge and become the municipality of Westerwolde in 2018. Westerwolde is a rural area with about 30 villages and hamlets. The largest village in the region is Ter Apel (population 6,000), with the other main villages being Vlagtwedde, Sellingen, Bellingwolde and Blijham. A small, but touristic village is Bourtange, which consists of a star-shaped fort.
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Vesting Bourtange
The main draw of the Westerwolde region: one of the best surviving examples of a star fort in Europe. There's a range of historic buildings and artefacts. Main sights include the picturesque market square, the church, a gunpowder house, and various museums. Especially in summer, regular events are organized to increase the historic feel of town. For more information, see the guide on Bourtange.
A fortified hamlet built in 1593 during the Eighty Years' War, with a population of about 100. The meaning of Oudeschans is 'Old Sconce', i.e. old fortification. There are several national monuments in the village, including a 17th-century garrison church, walls, canals, and bastions.
Fortification Museum
Museum in the fortified hamlet of Oudeschans. The museum shows the history of the 16th-century fortification and has a collection of archaeological findings.
Klooster Ter Apel
The only remaining rural monastery from the Middle Ages in the Netherlands. Construction took place from 1465 to 1561. In the monastery, there is now a Museum for Monastery and Church History & Religious Art.
Turkish restaurant.
Restaurant with a nice terrace near the Ruiten Aa river, with seasonal regional food.
Hotel opposite the Ter Apel Monastery.
Apartments and hotel rooms in a large farmhouse.
By public transport
Being a relatively remote and sparsely populated region, access by public transport is rather limited.
Westerwolde is, like much of Drenthe and Groningen, covered in canals.
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Groningen · International · GRQ
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