Meeden to Hoogezand and Veendam

Veendam, located in Groningen, is also called Parkstad. The place originated as a peat colony, which grew from 1655. Veendam has an adapted shape and therefore looks different from the characteristic ribbon villages in the area. In the center of the city, the Oosterdiep and the Westerdiep formed a fork shape, because this is where the Munte river originally flowed. The route starts at Firma Kort in Meeden. You can easily park your car here (free) and start the tour. If you want to buy something tasty for the road, the supermarket is very conveniently located at the starting point of the route. Here you can buy a healthy piece of fruit for the necessary vitamin boost on the go or buy something to drink to quench your thirst. You cycle in the direction of Hoogezand and Sappemeer. This way you arrive at the Polder de Vereeniging mill (hull/remains). The mill was once a ground sailer, which had its origins in 1872. The mill owes its name to the water board that it drained, called 'de Vereniging'. In 1932 the mill was taken out of service and converted into a diesel pumping station. The farm next to the mill has always been inhabited by different families. In 1932, the self-balancing mill was partially demolished by Nienhuis and Son from Eenrum to the hull, which can still be seen today. Many fortresses and castles were built in Groningen in the thirteenth century, when people started producing buildings made of stone. People from the nobility and very wealthy families lived in the villages. There are now only a few left, of which Welgelegen is one. This peat borg near Kleinemeer in the municipality of Hoogezand-Sappemeer was founded by one of the borg lords of Groningen: Jan Cornelis Spiel. When you come to Kielwindeweer, you can visit the old abandoned church in the village independently. You can pick up the key that gives you access to the sacred building at Key Address J. Stams. As the last sight on the route, Veendam star will not disappoint. Since 2011, this station has been the terminus of the railway connection between Groningen - Zuidbroek - Veendam, but it is also the starting point of the STAR museum railway line. This railway line runs from Veendam via the Stadskanaal to the Musselkanaal. In 1953 the station was closed to passenger trains and the line remained in use for freight traffic only until 1990. In 2005, the station building was purchased by the STAR. It is a real tourist attraction where you can discover the region on the old trains and railway lines. When you return to the starting point of the route, you can do your shopping in the supermarket so that you can cook a nice homely meal at home in the evening. This way you can enjoy a nice meal at your own dining table and enjoy the best this Groningen region has to offer.