Stadskanaal: Railway History, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Explore Stadskanaal through its waterways, railway history and historic sites. The Stadskanaal canal is part of the Veendam–Stadskanaal–Ter Apel waterway. A walk along the water in the centre reveals traces of the past. There are also museums, listed sites and nature areas, so you can plan your stay around historical themes or time outdoors.

Railway History and Museums

Museumspoorlijn STAR is the longest heritage railway in the Netherlands and offers a historic train ride on the border between Groningen and Drenthe. Check the operating days before your trip. The railway line’s history is also a central theme: the Museumspoorlijn STAR museum features an extensive exhibition about it.

Museums with different areas of focus offer further insights into regional history. The Streekhistorisch Centrum has an extensive archive on the history of the Kanaalstreek and Westerwolde and organises a variety of activities. The Museum van de Streek in Stadskanaal presents the history of the Kanaalstreek. At the Winkeltje bij de Sluis, meanwhile, you can see old-fashioned groceries in their original packaging.

Architectural History in Stadskanaal, Onstwedde and Smeerling

Huize ter Marse in Stadskanaal was built in 1884 for the Maarsingh family, farmers and peat entrepreneurs. The Julianapark in Stadskanaal is designated a Rijksmonument. In Onstwedde, two structures can be compared directly in terms of age: the Gothic Nicolaaskerk dates from around 1500; the Juffertoren is over 41 metres high and at least 150 years older than the church.

The six-kilometre Westerwolde walking route 10 passes the Nicolaaskerk and the Juffertoren in Onstwedde. If you plan to follow this route, check the route file before setting out. At the Oogstfeest Onstwedde, bread and Spekdikken, among other things, are baked; check the dates of the current edition before travelling.

Smeerling, in the municipality of Stadskanaal, is designated a protected village landscape. Authentic regional farmhouses dating from the 18th century can be found there. The green surroundings are ideal for nature walks. Smeerling therefore offers a glimpse of historic architecture as well as an opportunity to spend time outdoors.

Nature, Routes and Local History

Pagedal includes the Pagebos forest and the Pageplas, a nature pond. The distinctive De Rode Loper bridge is connected to the Pageplas. In the municipality of Stadskanaal, former settling basins have been turned into a nature area, which is particularly suitable for birdwatching. These sites offer different ways to experience nature: the forest, the pond and an area whose name hints at its former use.

The Stolpersteinekaart of the municipality of Stadskanaal also combines walking with local history. It marks the locations of the Stolpersteine and provides information about the Jewish community during the Second World War. It also shows cycling and walking routes to places of interest in the municipality. Where the map is available may change, so ask locally.

Craftsmanship in Mussel

In Mussel, the Museum Stelmakerij Wever is housed in the former wheelwright’s workshop of the Wever brothers. The workshop made agricultural equipment, including threshing flails and farm carts. The museum is open from May to October on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00. Outside the season, it opens for groups by appointment. Check the opening hours before your visit.

The sites mentioned offer a range of themes: railways and canals, architectural history, craftsmanship, wildlife watching and routes through the municipality. When planning your trip, you can choose a cultural focus or one centred more on walks and scenery, without combining the individual sights into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Mussel, Alteveer, Stadskanaal, Onstwedde, Vledderveen, Slochteren, Vlagtwedde, Bedum.

For the regional travel overview: Groningen.