Discover Gennep: Culture, History and Nature

Gennep can be explored through its culture, architectural history and landscape. During your stay, you can give these themes different levels of focus: Museum Het Petershuis covers history and regional connections, while buildings and Gennepse Heide each offer their own points of interest. The following places provide a concrete basis for deciding which highlights suit your trip.

Culture at Museum Het Petershuis

The permanent exhibition at Museum Het Petershuis features archaeological finds, models and historical information about Gennep and the region. Its subjects therefore range from material traces to the town’s place in its regional context. There are also eight temporary exhibitions each year, focusing on contemporary artists or a current topic. This distinction is useful when planning: the permanent exhibition focuses on history and the region, while the temporary exhibitions feature changing artists or current topics. This lets you choose between an enduring historical perspective and changing artistic or thematic highlights.

Architecture, heritage and art

The Martinustoren dates from 1869 and is the Neo-Gothic portal tower of Sint Martinuskerk, which was destroyed in 1945. Martinustoren is a Rijksmonument; the structure is attributed to Pierre Cuypers. From the upper floor, you can enjoy views of Gennep, Maasheggen, St. Jansberg and Reichswald. The tower thus combines a clearly dated architectural history with views of several named places and landscapes.

Hervormde kerk is considered the oldest small church on Dutch territory to have been built using its own funds, as well as the first Protestant church in the Netherlands to have been built in this way. The qualification that it was built using its own funds applies to both historical descriptions. Another perspective on local architecture can be found at Keramiekmuur in the centre of Gennep: it displays seven ceramic miniatures of local buildings, created by Pieter Arts.

Genneper Huys and hiking route

Genneper Huys lies in the area around Gennep: a strategic castle complex at the confluence of the Niers and the Maas. The area is designated a protected monument. On the Vesting Genneper Huys hiking route, a section may follow a boardwalk or boot path along the Niers. This path is therefore a possible option for part of the route; it does not mean that the entire hiking trail runs along it. When planning, it is useful to distinguish between the named route theme and the optional section along the Niers.

Landscape and activities

Gennepse Heide includes heathland, drifting sand, woodland and small lakes, including the large body of water Zeven Morgensiep. The area is ideal for hiking and cycling. The landscape therefore includes woodland and water as well as open heathland and drifting-sand areas; you can plan your time in nature around the two activities mentioned.

Getting there and planning your visit

Museum Het Petershuis can be reached by bus line 83 between Nijmegen and Venlo. The Niersbrug stop in Gennep is about 150 metres away. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable for your travel date.

At the Oude Stadhuis, a free guided tour on the Lower Rhine Renaissance may be available during Tourist Info Gennep’s opening hours, provided there are no weddings or other activities taking place there. If you would like to plan a tour, check in advance whether one is being offered on the day of your visit. This way, the Tourist Info’s opening hours and activities at the Oude Stadhuis can be factored into the same visit plan.

Discover more destinations: Ottersum, Heijen.

Go to the main travel overview: Gennep.