Middelstum offers several distinct ways to explore its culture and local history: De Hoop windmill, the radially laid-out wierde and the surviving remains of Borg Ewsum each provide a different point of reference for the town’s history. They are joined by a museum with a regional collection, the Mendels bakery museum with its tea house, a seasonal regional produce market, Sunsation and a cycling route around Warffum and Middelstum. The gun turret of Borg Ewsum dates from 1472; De Hoop was built in 1855 as a grain and pearl barley mill. The two dates are 383 years apart. The surviving gun turret of the borg and the grain and pearl barley mill thus differ both in age and in architectural form.

De Hoop and the layout of the town

De Hoop was built in 1855 as a grain and pearl barley mill. It is open on Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. when the flag is raised and/or the mill is running; group tours are available on request. Check this condition if you are planning your visit specifically around the mill.

The settlement’s layout is also part of the townscape: the houses in Middelstum follow the pattern of a radially laid-out wierde, with streets running downhill from the highest point. A wierde is a type of settlement.

Collections and bakery history

The Oorlogsmuseum Middelstum focuses its collection primarily on the province of Groningen and related areas such as East Frisia, Friesland and Drenthe. It contains more than 20,000 objects.

The Bakkerijmuseum Mendels is housed in a building that has been used as a bakery since 1792 and is designated a Rijksmonument. Mendels combines the bakery museum with a tea house serving homemade pastries and lunch. Check the latest opening details before travelling if you want to make Mendels a definite part of your plans.

Borg Ewsum and the regional produce market

The surviving remains of Borg Ewsum include a gun turret dating from 1472 and one of its Schathäuser. The Ommetje Middelstum walking route starts at Borg Ewsum.

A regional produce market is held on the grounds of Op Ewsum on the fourth Saturday of each month from April through September. Check the specific dates before your trip.

Sunsation and the cycling route

The pop festival Sunsation was founded in Middelstum in 1988. Its Dance Event is one of the oldest annual dance events in the Netherlands. The market and Dance Event follow different schedules: the regional produce market takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month from April through September, while Sunsation’s Dance Event is held annually.

A cycling route runs around Warffum and Middelstum, with options of about 40 or 55 kilometres. The longer option is around 15 kilometres longer than the shorter one.

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