Sleen reveals itself through different layers of history: the Hervormde Kerk dates from the 15th century, the De Hoop grain mill was rebuilt in 1914, and the Historic Village Walk in Sleen takes in historic sights, streets and monuments. The village also has the character of an esdorp, with Saxon farmhouses. For your stay, you can choose a focus: individual buildings, village history along the walking route or the history of the mill.

Church and Tower: Architecture and Change

The Hervormde Kerk, also called the Grote Kerk, is a three-aisled hall church dating from the 15th century. Both names refer to the same building. “Three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles; “hall church” identifies its architectural type. These terms give the church an architectural focus: its design is part of its significance, alongside its age.

The church and tower are designated Rijksmonumenten. Another layer of history concerns the tower: when its lantern crown was replaced with a spire in 1923, it was the tallest in Drenthe. This ranking applies to that point in time. The alteration marks a specifically dated later chapter in the history of the church tower.

The Historic Village Walk

The Historic Village Walk in Sleen draws attention to more than individual buildings. It passes historic sights, picturesque streets and monuments that tell the story of Sleen. The walk offers another perspective on the village: its history can be seen in individual buildings as well as in the streets and monuments along the route.

The walk is about two kilometres long and takes approximately two hours. The two figures answer different planning questions: the length describes the route, while the duration gives you an idea of how much time to allow. Set aside around two hours and check how the walk is organised before your trip.

De Hoop Mill and Its History

De Hoop adds a chapter on milling to the history of the church and village. The mill was rebuilt in 1914 using parts from De Gunst Mill in Amersfoort. De Gunst was also known as Nefkens’ Mill and was demolished in 1913. The dates make the sequence clear: the previous mill was demolished, and De Hoop was rebuilt the following year.

A local report in 2025 noted that De Hoop was still grinding grain, with baker Schepers using the flour, among other things, to make bread. If you plan to visit the mill, check for possible visiting opportunities before you travel.

Which Focus Suits Your Stay?

The three themes offer different perspectives on local history: the church showcases its architecture and the changes to its tower, De Hoop tells the story of a rebuild involving a predecessor from Amersfoort, and the village walk passes historic streets and monuments. The esdorp character and Saxon farmhouses also shape Sleen’s appearance. When planning, consider whether you would most like to explore one building, focus on the history of milling or set aside a dedicated block of time for the walk. Its length and duration give you a concrete timeframe for planning.

Discover more destinations: Erm, Schoonoord, Oosterhesselen, Meppen, Dalen, Dalerveen, Zwinderen, Dalerpeel

For the overview of the wider area: Coevorden.