Discover Groenlo

Groenlo between town history and nature

When looking for a hotel in Groenlo, you can first narrow down the reason for your trip: would you like to focus on the history of the fortified town, the landscape along the Natuurpad Leemputten, or a special event date? Each focus has specific points of interest. The Oude Calixtuskerk and traces of the fortifications tell the story of architectural and military history; the Natuurpad passes through a landscape shaped by clay extraction. Crafts, brewing history and cycling routes add to the themes that can shape your stay in Groenlo.

Fortifications and historic buildings

The Oude Calixtuskerk is the oldest building in Groenlo. It is a Late Gothic pseudo-basilica; its tower dates from 1371. The tower therefore provides a precisely dated reference point for local architectural history. The fortifications also shape the town's history: during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648), Groenlo was fortified with, among other things, a moat, a town wall and bastions. Within the moats, the street pattern is still the same as it was in the prince's time. A ravelin has been partially preserved.

The marked Vestingwandeling route follows Groenlo's historic moat, passing various cannons and the cannon rampart. If you are interested in town history, the route links the moat with other specific traces of the military past. The church, street pattern and fortification features reveal different aspects of local history: a single building, the layout of the urban space and the town's former defences.

Natuurpad Leemputten and cycling routes

The Natuurpad Leemputten offers a different perspective. The water-filled clay pits that the path winds between were created by clay extraction for a brickworks in Groenlo. The path also crosses a boardwalk through damp grasslands lined with tree belts. Many waterbirds find a habitat in the Natuurpad area.

This makes the route clearly different from the Vestingwandeling: here, the focus is not on moats and cannons, but on land shaped by past resource extraction and its wetlands. Groenlo is also a historic starting point for several cycling routes around the town. If cycling is part of your itinerary, the town is also a starting point for routes in the surrounding area.

Slag om Grolle as a reason to visit

Another possible reason to visit is the Slag om Grolle. This historical event takes place every three years and recreates the 1627 siege of Groenlo with more than 1,600 reenactors. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the date of the next edition in advance. Its three-year cycle makes the event date a specific planning consideration.

Crafts and brewing tradition

Local culture can also be explored through craft and culinary traditions. Grolse Wanten have been hand-knitted from pure wool for more than 150 years. In 2017, they were included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Beer has also been brewed in Groenlo since the 17th century. Together with the architectural and fortification history, these traditions offer further themes for your stay: crafts and brewing history are part of the destination's character, alongside the church, moats and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Vragender, Lichtenvoorde, Lievelde

Return to the overview of the wider area: Oost Gelre.