Coevorden developed at a strategic crossing: travellers and traders could cross a shallow stream here to make their way through the marshes. Its early role as a way station is also explored at the Stedelijk Museum Coevorden. The permanent exhibition “Verhalen van Coevorden” tells the story of Drenthe’s oldest city, linking its urban development with the conflicts that shaped Coevorden.
Discover the City’s History and Architecture
Exhibition topics include the Battle of Ane, Kasteel Coevorden, the construction of the fortress, Coevorden as a garrison town and the recapture of the city. The topics may change over time; check the current exhibition highlights before your visit. Kasteel Coevorden is also part of the town’s long history: its original form was built before 1200.
Those who want to focus on the buildings can follow the Historische Gebouwenwandeling, also known as the Bouwstijlenwandeling. It passes 36 notable buildings and introduces styles including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, the Amsterdam School and the Nieuwe Haagse School. A guided historical city walk also explores the castle and fortifications in the context of the frequent battles over Coevorden. It is offered on Wednesday and Friday afternoons; check the current dates in advance.
Museums Offering Different Perspectives
The former synagogue has been set up as a museum since 2017 and tells the story of Jewish life in Drenthe and the surrounding area. The former synagogue complex includes a mikveh, a ritual bath, and a teacher’s residence, both built in 1879 along with the new synagogue. The Synagogue Museum combines a place of worship with an adjoining residence; this combination is considered unique in Drenthe. Since summer 2023, the museum has had a stairlift to the upper floor. As visitor information can change, it is a good idea to check the latest details in advance.
Museum Thijnhof offers a different perspective, with realistic and surrealist art. Changing exhibitions continually bring new works into focus, while workshops complement the programme. At the Ellert en Brammert Open-Air Museum, volunteers read the legend of Ellert and Brammert aloud in the historic school building. The museum also has a large playground and a small petting zoo. It is fully accessible to wheelchair users, provides wheelchairs at the ticket desk and offers adapted facilities. Check this visitor information before your trip.
Windmills, Fortifications and Traces in the Landscape
Dalen is home to two windmills built in very different years. Molen De Bente dates from 1814 and is one of Drenthe’s oldest windmills; volunteers ensure it can be operated regularly. Molen Jan Pol was built in 1876 as a gallery mill and is described as Drenthe’s tallest windmill. Both buildings are a good reason to pay attention to the region’s windmill history during a cultural walk.
Katshaarschans reveals another side of history: it was built to defend an important route to Coevorden. A square earthen rampart surrounded by a wide moat makes its role as a fortification easy to understand. Archaeological traces reach further back in time. The Papeloze Kerk was built in the Neolithic period, around 3450 to 3250 BC, during the time of the Funnel Beaker people. Two fields with a total of 47 burial mounds have been found nearby; some are located in Celtic fields, also called Raatakkers.
Walking Routes from Short Detours to Multi-Day Trips
A 2.3-kilometre green walking route through the Sleenerzand, created by Staatsbosbeheer, takes visitors to the monuments around the Papeloze Kerk. Since 2006, a Hagepredigt has been held at the Papeloze Kerk once a year; check the programme for the relevant year. Another walk from the Papeloze Kerk to ’t Haantje runs partly through woodland and partly along pastureland beside the Oranjekanaal.
The Cultuurpad Coevorden covers a different scale: this circular walking route is more than 200 kilometres long and runs through the entire municipality. Local residents put it together to connect places with history, landscapes, monuments, art, nature, buildings and stories. It starts in Zwinderen, but you can also start at another location. Check the latest route information before setting out.
“Langs de Grenzen van Drenthe” also starts and ends at Kasteel Coevorden. The approximately 350-kilometre cycling route was officially opened in April 2026 and is divided into six daily stages. It is signposted locally and available digitally via Drenthe.nl and the Drenthe Routes app; along the way, the app offers additional video and audio information from experts. As route information and digital services can change, check them before you set off.
Another walk connects Meppen and Gees: it passes the Bollema pumping station into the Geeserstroom nature area and by Klinkenberg, where a castle stood in the 13th century. Meppen lies among woodland, heathland, drifting sand and juniper bushes. The routes therefore differ not only in length but also in focus: from archaeological monuments and a city’s history to landscapes and nature.
Discover More Destinations
Gees, Schoonoord, Stieltjeskanaal, Wezuperbrug, Coevorden, Dalen, Erm, Meppen, Zweeloo, Dalerveen, Wachtum, Wezup, Sleen, Aalden, Dalerpeel, Benneveld, Oosterhesselen, Zwinderen, Noord-Sleen
For the overarching travel overview: Drenthe.
