Mussel is a small, close-knit village with a peat-colony character. Several distinct themes define the place: the Stelmakerij Wever preserves the history of technology, the war memorial and churches represent remembrance and architecture, and the Lindenmeer and “In ’t Moeras” nature park are about water and landscape. Depending on your interests, you can explore Mussel through its workshop, architectural styles or nature.

The history of technology at the Stelmakerij Wever

The Stelmakerij Wever in Mussel has been in operation since 1903. Its old machines, floors and drive systems are all fully preserved and on display. Those interested in the history of technology will find not just individual machines here, but the workshop’s entire equipment.

The Stelmakerij offers tailor-made excursions on technology, history and culture for groups and schools.

Remembrance and church architecture

The war memorial in Mussel is a red-brick pyramid with a commemorative plaque set into it. It remembers all fellow citizens who lost their lives in acts of war during the years of occupation.

The churches also differ in their architectural styles and dates. The Reformed Church is a traditionalist hall church dating from around 1952. “Hall church” describes the spatial layout, while “traditionalist” refers to its stylistic classification. The Christian Reformed Church, built in 1975, has a church interior with a steep roof and glazed gable sections; a flat-roofed side wing for ancillary rooms is attached. The slightly younger, also traditionally designed Reformed Church (Liberated) has a hipped roof and an entrance porch. The churches therefore differ not only in their dates, but also in their interior layouts, roof designs and extensions.

Water and nature park

People fish at the Lindenmeer, and there is also a path for walks around the lake. This makes two distinct activities the focus at the water: fishing and walking along the path around the lake.

“In ’t Moeras” nature park includes an herb garden, an apiary and a small animal pasture with sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys. The park’s landscape therefore encompasses a garden and apiary as well as a pasture with various animals.

The development of the park landscape is also documented: in 1992, the nature park was expanded to 3.5 hectares. A flower-rich meadow and a carr woodland of alders and willows, established on former pastureland, were added. The meadow and carr woodland represent different landscape types within this expansion.

The Mussel Aa and Mussel-Aa Canal

Modest remnants of the Mussel Aa lie east of Mussel. The later-built Mussel-Aa Canal is separate from it: the canal was constructed east of the Mussel Aa, starting from Stadskanaal. The names therefore refer to two different landscape features, not to the same watercourse.

Discover more destinations: Vledderveen, Onstwedde, Alteveer, Stadskanaal

Go to the main travel overview: Stadskanaal.