Aduard: Monastery History and Historic Buildings

Aduard is a destination for anyone interested in monastery history and historic buildings. Traces of the past lead to the Kloostermuseum Sint Bernardushof, the present-day Abdijkerk and various tours that explore history in the museum, on a walk or digitally. If you’re looking for a hotel in Aduard, these different options can help you choose the right place to stay based on your interests.

Monastery History and Buildings

The Kloostermuseum Sint Bernardushof is dedicated to the history of the Cistercian abbey of Sint Bernardus in “Adduwert”. It is housed in one of Aduard’s oldest buildings, dating from around 1600. The former infirmary is also part of the monastery’s history: today it is the Abdijkerk, built in 1297 and the oldest medical building in the Netherlands. After visiting the museum, you can take a guided tour of the present-day Abdijkerk. This allows you to first explore the monastery’s history and then learn about the former infirmary on a guided tour.

Other buildings also offer insights into different periods. A building at Burg Seinenstraat 42 in Aduard is an outstanding example of 13th-century Groninger brick architecture. Near Aduard, the brick arch bridge Steentil crosses the Aduarderdiep. It was built between 1722 and 1723 and spans 12.80 metres. The two buildings were therefore constructed in different centuries. Artwork on benches along the canal also tells a part of the story of Aduard and its surroundings—a different perspective on history, not focused solely on a single building.

Discover Monastery History on Foot and Digitally

The 2 km-long Kloosterwandeling passes important sites in the monastery’s history, with columns marking the route. During opening hours, you can borrow a tablet for the walk from the Kloostermuseum Aduard. The Aduard 3D tour offers a digital perspective, taking you on a virtual walk through the monastery. Around the museum, the tour uses an app to show 3D images from the Middle Ages along the route. There are seven artworks there: when visitors point a smartphone or tablet at them, 3D images appear showing what Aduard looked like in the Middle Ages. The walk therefore passes historic sites and columns, while the 3D tour adds virtual images to the story.

The museum garden includes a small herb garden laid out on the model of original monastery gardens. Behind the museum building, there is also a garden where you can enjoy a coffee or tea in peace. A stone oven has stood in the back garden since 2008, where Kloostermoppen can be baked in the traditional way. The baking activity has an educational purpose and involves children and schools.

Getting There and Practical Information

The museum can be reached from Groningen railway station by bus 35, which runs Monday to Friday and on Saturdays. The Bloemstraat stop is a two-minute walk from the museum. As public transport information can change, check the timetable before travelling. The Kloostermuseum Aduard has ample free parking. A walking and cycling map of the Westerkwartier is available from tourist information centres in Aduard; check with them to confirm the current availability of printed maps.

Discover more destinations: Grijpskerk, Niehove, Visvliet, Zuidhorn.

Return to the main travel overview: Zuidhorn.