Discover Onderdendam

Onderdendam combines a protected village setting with historic buildings and a cycling route with three clearly specified distances. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in the village, these different highlights can help you plan your trip: you can focus more on architectural history, waterways or cycling. Particularly useful details include the guided tours of the Gereformeerde kerk, available by appointment, and the different options on the Noorder-Rondritten route.

Landscape and Local History

An open area of clay soil surrounds Onderdendam and is used as pasture for dairy farming. The agricultural landscape provides a different setting from the buildings in the village. Onderdendam was designated a protected village setting in 1987; the designation draws attention to the village’s architectural character. Historically, Onderdendam was a waterway hub between the city and Het Hogeland. The surrounding landscape and its former role in waterways thus add two distinct perspectives to the village’s history.

Cycling Route and Paths

The Noorder-Rondritten cycling route is based in Onderdendam. You can choose routes of 60, 84 or 144 kilometres through the municipalities of Het Hogeland and Eemsdelta. The distances are easy to compare: 60 kilometres is the shortest and 144 kilometres the longest of the three options, with the 84-kilometre route in between. This lets you choose a route to suit your preferred distance and take Onderdendam into account as its starting point.

The bridges of Onderdendam remain prominent points where walking, cycling and boating routes meet. The Jaagpad has largely retained its intimate character. The details highlight different aspects: the bridges are notable for bringing several routes together, while the Jaagpad is distinguished by the largely preserved form of a single path.

Churches and Architecture

The Gereformeerde kerk in Onderdendam was built in 1932 to a design by architect A. Wiersema from Bedum. Its style is related to the Amsterdam School. Today, the church is used as an exhibition space. Tours are available by appointment and also include the permanent collection of Amsterdam School furniture. Both the architecture and the furniture collection are therefore connected with the Amsterdam School.

The Hervormde kerk is a Rijksmonument, a designated national heritage site, and a church building dating from 1840 on Bedumerweg. Together, the two churches offer different ways to explore Onderdendam’s architectural history: the Gereformeerde kerk stands out for its design and exhibition, while the Hervormde kerk is notable for its year of construction, heritage status and address.

Mill, Bridge and Former Courthouse

The courtroom in Onderdendam’s former courthouse has been completely preserved. Before it was later used as a residence, the building was a village inn called Café Dijk. The courtroom on the upper floor was used for cultural events such as theatre performances. The former courthouse thus draws attention both to its preserved courtroom and to its various past uses.

The Hunsingo mill, also known as Molen Haitsma, is an octagonal gallery Dutch mill. It was built in 1855 as a grain and hulling mill. Its name, design and original function each offer a different way to place the building in the history of Onderdendam.

Molentil is a historic swing bridge over the Boterdiep in Onderdendam. It was built in 1895 and later restored. Its preserved features include cast-iron decorations and a classic bridge railing. At Molentil, the design and surviving details take centre stage, while the bridges in the village as a whole are also notable meeting points for different routes.

Getting There

Onderdendam is easy to reach from the city of Groningen via the N994.

Discover more destinations: Bedum

Go to the main travel overview: Bedum.