Church history, mills and a green cycling route give Winschoten its varied character. The Romanesque-Gothic Sint-Vituskerk stands at its heart; the freestanding Toren d’ Olle Witte tells the story of a historic trade route and the defence of Groningen. South of Winschoten lies Tusschenwegen, a nature reserve and water-retention area. On your trip, you can explore cultural history, engineering structures and outdoor activities.
Culture and architectural history
Cultuurhuis De Klinker brings together a theatre, arts centre, film house and library. The venue opened in 1973. This cultural institution sits alongside historic buildings whose stories concern architecture, defence and technical functions. The range of options is useful when planning your visit: the cultural centre, religious architecture and mill history appeal to different interests.
Sint-Vituskerk is in the centre of Winschoten and is a Romanesque-Gothic church. In the early 20th century, it was restored to a unified appearance reflecting its original look around 1275. The two dates have different roles: around 1275 describes the appearance the restoration aimed to recreate, while the early 20th century is when the restoration took place.
Toren d’ Olle Witte is a medieval, freestanding church tower. It was probably built in the 15th century at the spot where the important trade route from Groningen to Münster in Germany crossed the Rensel. For centuries, the tower played an important role in the defence of Groningen. As you climb, the Torenwachters bring the centuries-old history of the tower and fortress to life. This structure brings together the trade route, river crossing and history of defence.
Mills and technical history
Molen Edens is the oldest windmill in the province of Groningen. Built in 1763, it was probably first fitted out as a barley-peeling mill and later as a grain mill. At Molen Berg, the focus is on its design and equipment: miller J. D. Buurma had it built in 1854 as an octagonal gallery windmill; it is equipped with millstones and peeling stones. Molen Dijkstra, meanwhile, grinds grain and peels barley to produce pearl barley. The three mills thus offer different historical perspectives: Edens’ distinction within the province, Berg’s design and equipment, and the processes described at Dijkstra.
The technical history of water management is also part of Winschoten’s story. Until 1971, the pumping station at Oostereinde served a function within the water management system of the province of Groningen. The steam installation at Museum Stoomgemaal is unique in Europe for its combination with an Archimedes’ screw. The two examples highlight different aspects: one a historic function within the provincial water management system, the other a distinctive combination in a steam installation.
Landscape, cycling and roses
Tusschenwegen lies south of Winschoten and is a nature reserve and water-retention area managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The area was created in 2005–2006 and covers 84 hectares. Here, nature and water retention go hand in hand. Tusschenwegen is a place to walk and cycle; local conditions may change. Check conditions before setting out.
The “Culturele en groene fietsroute rond het Oldambtmeer” (Cultural and Green Cycling Route around Oldambtmeer) runs from the Pekel Aa and Waterpark Tusschenwegen to the centre of Winschoten, then past the Rosarium to Blauwestad. It follows a sequence of several places, while the Pieter Smitbrug connects Winschoten directly with Blauwestad. The bridge is almost 800 metres long and consists of four connected bridges. If you’re planning to cycle the route, check its current course and conditions before setting out.
For trips planned from June onwards, there is a seasonal highlight: 20,000 roses bloom in Winschoten’s Rosarium from June. As the cycling route passes the Rosarium, you can take the flowering season into account when choosing your travel dates. Together with Tusschenwegen, the landscape complements the churches, mills and technical history, without requiring every theme to involve the same kind of outing.
Discover more destinations: Scheemda, Nieuwolda, Blauwestad, Nieuweschans, Midwolda, Nieuw Scheemda, Finsterwolde, Oudezijl
For the broader travel overview: Oldambt.
