Zuidbroek combines medieval local history with tangible traces of its church, railway and canal. For trip planning, there are also different kinds of activities: a story bench is part of a cycling route, a named walking trail leads to the car park on Spoorstraat, and the visitor marina is connected to the Winschoterdiep.

Road village, canal history and the Petrus Church

Zuidbroek developed in the Middle Ages as a road village on a cover-sand ridge. Another historic phase followed after the Winschoterdiep was dug as far as the vicinity of Zuidbroek in 1628: a canal district developed there. Zuidbroek therefore has both a medieval phase of development and a later one shaped by the canal.

The Petrus Church in Zuidbroek was brought into use around 1280 and is an early example of the Romanesque-Gothic period in Groningen. Its details also tell different chapters of its history: the freestanding bell tower served as a prison for a long time, and two of its original four cells can still be seen. The church also has a classical organ with 28 stops and a Rückpositiv. H. H. Freytag and F. C. Snitger (junior) built it in 1793–1795. Its medieval origins, former use as a prison and later organ provide different starting points for a cultural walk through the town’s history.

Another place of remembrance is the Joods monument (Jewish monument) in the Jewish cemetery on Botjesweg. Together with the Petrus Church, this site shows that Zuidbroek’s cultural themes have different historical connections; the specific details of each attraction provide their own distinct focus.

Railway and tram history in the former station

Zuidbroek has had a railway station since 1868. The former station building houses the Noord-Nederlands Trein & Tram Museum (Northern Netherlands Train & Tram Museum). It presents the history of train and tram transport in the northern Netherlands. Visitors can experience what it is like to be a conductor or train driver. The subject and the building are thus directly connected: the museum explores rail transport and is located in a former station building in Zuidbroek.

By bike or on foot

A story bench in Zuidbroek is part of the Verhalenbanken (Story Benches) cycling route. It passes through towns, villages, neighbourhoods and rural areas. The story bench gives the Zuidbroek section a local connection. The Verhalenbanken project also includes glass mosaics depicting events from local history in imaginative form. Separately, two regional cycling routes cross in Zuidbroek, so you can extend a bike trip if you wish. As route information can change, check the route before setting off.

For a walk, the 11.5 km Groninger Borgenpad runs from Sappemeer to the car park on Spoorstraat in Zuidbroek. Its length and named endpoints give you a specific framework if you want to include a walk in your plans. Check the condition of the trail and the signage before setting off.

An option on the Winschoterdiep

There is also a direct connection with the Winschoterdiep on the water: Zuidbroek’s visitor marina is directly connected to the canal and has space for about 15 pleasure boats. Capacity and facilities may change; check navigation conditions before boating. Zuidbroek’s possible points of interest are therefore quite distinct, ranging from the history of the Petrus Church and the railway to cycling and walking routes and the waterside marina.

Discover more destinations: Noordbroek, Tripscompagnie

Go to the main travel overview: Menterwolde.