Rutten: Church, Iris Garden and Motocross

You can get to know Rutten through its varied local features: Emmaüs Church beside the centrally located square village green, an iris-shaped display garden, motocross, the Kabouterpad (Gnome Trail) and the Ruttense Vaart. There are also views of farmland and a broad belt of trees, as well as local produce. This brings together local history, garden culture, sport, landscape and regional food.

Emmaüs Church and the village green

Emmaüs Church is linked to the centrally located square village green, where the two main roads meet at a crossroads. It was put into service on 1 June 1960. This gives you a way to place the church in its geographical and historical context: through its connection to the village green and the precise date it opened. For visitors interested in the village centre, this combination of a specific location and date provides a clear point of reference.

Display garden and plant diversity

Kwekerij Joosten has a 2,400-square-metre display garden shaped like an iris flower. Its collection includes more than 1,300 cultivars. Iris- en hemerocalliskwekerij Joosten is one of Europe’s largest iris and daylily nurseries. The more than 1,300 cultivars indicate the size of the collection, while 2,400 square metres refers to the area of the display garden. The shape, collection size and European standing highlight three different aspects of this garden. If you are interested in irises and daylilies, this gives you a specific point of connection to Rutten.

Motocross and the Kabouterpad

MC NOP “De Ruttense Brug” has a 1,250-metre motocross track in Rutten, with a mixture of sand and clay as its surface. The track is suitable for both experienced and novice riders. A KNMV licence is required for training. The track’s length and surface describe its features, while suitability and the licence requirement answer different practical questions. This allows you to assess the sporting offer by its track characteristics and participation requirements.

The Kabouterpad Rutten is designed specifically for children who live in Rutten or are visiting the village. It adds an explicitly child-focused activity to the range of things to do. The Kabouterpad identifies its target group; at MC NOP, riders’ experience and the licence requirement for training are the main considerations. This makes it possible to view the two activities in terms of their different focuses.

The Ruttense Vaart and the landscape

The Ruttense Vaart runs alongside the village. A specific viewpoint is at the bridge where Lemsterweg crosses the Vaart. One side offers views across the open farmland, while the other looks out over a broad belt of trees. This brings two different landscape impressions together in one place: open agricultural land and a wide strip of trees. The bridge is the named reference point for the view, while the Vaart itself runs alongside the village.

Products from Rutten

Local food also offers a tangible connection to the village. Streekwinkel Van de Buren sells organic meat from Melkveehouderij Keurentjes in Rutten, as well as potatoes and onions from Van Ginkel in Rutten. The range also includes soups and stamppot from Pies of Keek in Rutten. This lets you distinguish between meat, field crops and prepared dishes, as well as the producers behind them. If local food is important to your travel plans, these specific products and names offer another way to discover Rutten.

Discover more destinations: Bant, Kraggenburg, Emmeloord, Marknesse.

For the broader travel overview: Noordoostpolder.