Enjoy the very tip of Groningen

A region full of greenery and tranquility, with a rich history, but also with room for innovation: the province of Groningen has many faces. Groningen has a centuries-long history and has been trading with Scandinavian countries since the Middle Ages. It is not without reason that the provincial flag, with a cross in the middle, closely resembles the flags of those countries, a result of the trade relationship. Terps, mounds and deposits, polders and fields, and beautiful sights such as the Martini Tower make Groningen an interesting part of the Netherlands that begs to be discovered. This bike tour takes you to the Menkemaborg. The current Groningen castle was built around 1400. As the name suggests, this castle was owned by the Menkema family. In 1614, Osebrandt Clant, who was now the owner, renovated the rectangular building. He had a large part added to it, so that the building had a beautiful open U-shape. In 1682 the deposit came into the possession of the Alberda van Menkema family, who renovated the deposit for the second time around 1700. After the death of the last resident in 1902, the deposit became vacant. In 1921 the deposit was donated to the Groninger Museum. The Ceres tower mill in Spijk, built in 1839, is also a nice stop. The mill, together with the church tower opposite it, determines the appearance of the picturesque village of Spijk. The mill, which is used to learn the trade, grinds grain and peels barley.