Cycling through Groningen wierde villages

In Friesland they are called mounds, in Groningen wierden: the artificial elevations to keep farms and churches dry. This route takes you through the polder to a number of real Groningen wierde villages.

Groningen churches
The first kilometers you warm up at your leisure along the banks of the Damsterdiep, a canal that connects Groningen with Delfzijl. A little later you drive along another canal (the Oosterwijtwerdermaar) to Oosterwijtwerd. Here on the mound is one of the first brick churches in Groningen, dating from the thirteenth century. The eleventh-century church in Holwierde is one of the oldest in this province.

Old Appingedam
In historic Appingedam you can see many beautiful national monuments in the Solwerderstraat. From the bridge on the Kniestraat you can take a look at the famous kitchens that hang above the Damsterdiep. In Solwerd you can see the village church from 1783. There is a wooden bell chair next to it with a clock from 1949. The original bell was stolen by the Germans during the Second World War.

Special Biessum
Just above Delfzijl you pass two more characteristic wierde villages in quick succession, the wierden of which are about 2000 years old. Uitwierde enjoys a protected village view, the wierde is still almost intact. Only the detached tower of the original village church from 1200 is still standing. The church was so damaged by marauding French troops during the Siege of Delfzijl (1813-1814) that it was replaced in 1839. The mound of Biessum is also very well preserved. The original star-shaped allotment can still be clearly seen in the landscape. There are still a few beautiful characteristic farms on the Osseweg.