Discover Drachten: Art, Architecture and Routes

Drachten can be explored through specific themes: public art, architecture, history, and routes on foot or by bike. If you are looking for a hotel in Drachten, you can first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay. A walk around the city offers a different focus from a route that takes in nature and water. The examples below can help you organise your interests as you plan your trip.

Art, Architecture and Remembrance

In Friesland, the Van Doesburg-Rinsemahuis is an important example of how Theo van Doesburg’s ideas about colour harmony were applied in connection with De Stijl. In the Papegaaienbuurt, several houses designed by Cees Rienks de Boer stand; their woodwork was painted according to designs by Theo van Doesburg. Both themes draw attention to different ways architecture and colour interact.

The Dada Monument stands on Raadhuisplein: an artwork in the shape of an eight, assembled from car bonnets in De Stijl’s characteristic colours. Another tribute is the “Mural Philips” mural. It was created in honour of Philips and in memory of the company’s significance to Drachten. You will encounter different artistic forms, from the design of a house and painted woodwork to a monument and mural.

Karmelklooster Drachten is also one of the town’s distinctive cultural sites. It has Rijksmonument status and is the only authentic monastery building still preserved in Friesland. If you like to combine architecture, design and history on your trip, there are several clearly distinct themes to choose from: De Stijl colour harmony, public art, the memory of Philips, and a preserved monastery building.

Exploring on Foot and by Bike

The “Stadswandeling Drachten” is a 3.2-kilometre city walk that combines art, history and architecture. It offers a clearly defined tour of these three themes. “Rondje Dr8888” takes a different approach: this walking route passes through the green surroundings of Drachten and alongside water, art and nature. When choosing between the two, you can opt for the city walk and its cultural and architectural focus, or for a combination of landscape, water and art.

TOP Drachten is a tourist starting point for exploring Drachten on foot or by bicycle. Open Drachten presents cycling, walking and driving routes through Drachten and its thirteen villages. Smallingerland offers a mix of nature, culture and history. These routes give you different ways to look beyond individual works of art and buildings and explore the surrounding area and its themes.

The “Drijvende krachten” cycling route starts at the Toeristisch Opstappunt in Drachten and passes through De Veenhoop and Oudega. Along the way, it offers insights into the residents’ entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation. Its thematic focus therefore differs from that of the city walk: here, the focus is on entrepreneurship and innovation, while the walk centres on art, history and architecture. When planning your trip, you can consider both the type of route and the theme that interests you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Houtigehage, Oudega Gem Smallingerlnd, Oudega, De Veenhoop, Goëngahuizen, Rottevalle, De Tike

For the broader travel overview: Smallingerland.