Groningen (/ˈɡroʊnɪŋən/GROH-ning-ən,UK also/ˈɡrɒnɪŋən/GRON-ing-ən;[6][7]Dutch:[ˈxɣoʊnɪŋə(n)]ⓘ;Gronings:Grunn orGrunnen[ˈχrʏnn̩]) is the capital city and main municipality ofGroningen province in theNetherlands. Dubbed the "capital of the north", Groningen is the largest city as well as the economic and cultural centre of the northern part of the country;[8][9] as of January 2025, it had 244,807 inhabitants,[10] making it the sixth largest city/municipality in the Netherlands and the second largest outside theRandstad. The Groningen metropolitan area has a population of about half a million inhabitants.
Groningen was established more than 980 years ago but never gainedcity rights. Due to its relatively isolated location from the then successive Dutch centres of power (Utrecht,The Hague,Brussels), Groningen was historically reliant on itself and nearby regions. As aHanseatic city, it was part of the North German trade network, but later it mainly became a regional market centre. At the height of its power in the 15th century, Groningen could be considered an independentcity-state and it remained autonomous until the late 18th century, when it was incorporated into theNapoleonicBatavian Republic.[11]
Today Groningen is a university city, home to some of the country's leading higher education institutes;University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), which is the Netherlands's second oldest university, andHanze University of Applied Sciences (Hanzehogeschool Groningen).[12] Students comprise an estimated 25% of its total population, making it the country's demographically youngest city[13] (althoughUrk is the youngest municipality overall).[14]
The origin and meaning of 'Groningen' and its older variant, 'Groeningen', are uncertain. A folk origin story relates the idea that, in 453 BC, exiles fromTroy who were guided by a mythical figure called Gruno (or Grunius, Gryns or Grunus), along with a group ofPhrygians from Germany, founded a settlement in what is now Groningen, and built a castle on the bank of theHunze, which they called 'Grunoburg', and which was later destroyed by the Vikings.[15][16]
One modern theory is that 'Groningen' meant 'among the people of Groni' ('Groningi' and 'Groninga' in the 11th century), derived fromGronesbeke, which was the old name for a small lake near the Hunze (on the northern border ofZuidlaarderveen).[17] As the name Grone (variant Groene) is an old Frisian personal name, the origin may very well be in a settlement originally founded by the family of Grone and their followers, which in Frisian would be called Groninga. Another theory is that the name was derived from the wordgroenighe, meaning 'green fields'.[16]
InFrisian, it is calledGrins.[18] InGroningen province, it is calledGroot Loug [nl]. Regionally, it is often simply referred to asStad (the "city"),[19][20] and its inhabitants are referred to asStadjers orStadjeder.[21] The Dutch sometimes refer to it as "the Metropolis of the North",[22] orMartinistad (after theMartinitoren tower).[22]
The city was founded at the northernmost point of theHondsrug area.[23] While the oldest document referring to Groningen's existence dates from 1040, the area was occupied by Anglo-Saxons centuries prior.[24] The oldest archaeological evidence of a settlement in the region stems from around 3950–3650 BC,[25] and the first major settlement in Groningen trace back to the year 3 AD.[26]
In the 13th century Groningen was an important trade centre and its inhabitants built acity wall to underline its authority.[27] The city had a strong influence on its surrounding lands and theGronings dialect became common.[28] The city's most influential period was at the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province ofFriesland was administered from Groningen.[29] During these years theMartinitoren was built which is considered to be the city's most significant landmark.[30]
In 1536, Groningen acceptedEmperor Charles V, the King of Spain and the Habsburg ruler of the other Netherlands as its ruler, thus ending the region's autonomy.[31] The city was captured in theSiege of Groningen (1594) by the Dutch and English forces led byMaurice of Nassau.[32] After the siege, the city and the province joined theDutch Republic.[33]
During the 17th century, Groningen served as a crucial hub for theDutch West India Company (WIC). This powerful trading company was responsible for maritime trade, colonization, and the transportation of goods and people.
The WIC transported over 300,000 slaves from the African coast to the Dutch colonies between 1621 and 1792. Warships like theGroeningen sailed from Groningen's shipyards to Africa's west coast, carrying enslaved Africans to plantations in Brazil, Suriname, and the Antilles.[34] These same ships returned to Europe laden with valuable commodities such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco.
TheUniversity of Groningen was founded in 1614 with initial course offerings in law, medicine, theology and philosophy.[35] During this period the city expanded rapidly and a new city wall was built.[36]
TheSiege of Groningen (1672) led by the bishop ofMünster,Bernhard von Galen, during theThird Anglo-Dutch War failed and the city walls resisted;[37] an event that is celebrated annually with music and fireworks on 28 August as "Gronings Ontzet [nl]" or "Bommen Berend" ("Bombing Bernard").[38][39] In the early 19th century when the kingdom of Holland under king Jerôme Bonaparte was founded, Groningen was integrated into the French system of administration, and then annexed in 1811 into the French Empire under emperor Napoleon I (until 1813). During the French administration of the area, Groningen was calledGroningue.[40]
DuringWorld War II, the main square and the Grote Markt were largely destroyed in theBattle of Groningen in April 1945.[36] However, the churchMartinitoren, theGoudkantoor, and the city hall were undamaged.[41]
There is a town named after Groningen inSaramacca District, Suriname, a former Dutch colony. It was named after the hometown of Dutch governor-general of SurinameJan Wichers, who established the town as a fort in 1790.
Numerous canals (grachten) surround the city, locally calleddiep. The major canals that travel from the city are theVan Starkenborgh Canal,Eems Canal, and Winschoterdiep. Groningen's canals, no longer used for commercial goods transport, were once vital hubs in trade and transport. The rivers crossing close to the Binnenstad have been used for trade for at least athousand years [nl]. The Dutch West India Company and foreign investors established their Groningen headquarters in Reitemakersrijge. Additional warehouses were strategically built along the canals at Noorderhaven to store colonial produce.[34] These warehouses often held goods obtained from plantations in the Dutch colonies.
Groningen has an oceanic temperate climate, like all of the Netherlands, although slightly colder in winter than other major cities in the Netherlands due to its northeasterly position.[42] Weather is influenced by the North Sea to the north-west and its prevailing north-western winds and gales.[43]
Summers are somewhat warm and humid.[44] Temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F) or higher occur sporadically; the average daytime high is around 22 °C (72 °F). Very rainy periods are common, especially in spring and summer. Average annual precipitation is about 800 mm (31 in). Annual sunshine hours vary, but are usually below 1600 hours, giving much cloud cover similar to most of the Netherlands. Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. TheKöppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb". (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[45]
Winters are cool; on average above freezing, although frosts are common during spells of easterly winds.[46] Night-time temperatures of −10 °C (14 °F) or lower are not uncommon during cold winter periods. The lowest temperature ever recorded is −26.8 °C (−16.2 °F) on 16 February 1956. Snow often falls, but rarely stays long due to warmer daytime temperatures, although white snowy days happen every winter.[47]
Climate data for Groningen (Groningen Airport Eelde), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present
Hotel and catering industries constitute a significant part of the economy in Groningen.[50] Focus on business services has increased over time and areas such as IT, life sciences, tourism, energy, and environment have developed.[51]
Until 2008 there were two majorbeet sugar factories within the city. TheSuiker Unie plant was constructed in the outskirts of Groningen, but became a part of the city due to expansion. The factory had 98 employees before it was closed in 2008 due to a reduction in demand.[52] As of 2017,Vierverlaten sugar factory inHoogkerk remains the only beet sugar production plant in the city.[53] Other notable companies from Groningen include publishing companyNoordhoff Uitgevers,[54] tobacco companyNiemeyer,[55] cooperative health insurance companyMenzis [nl],[56] distilleryHooghoudt,[29] and natural gas companiesGasUnie andGasTerra.[57]
The municipality of Groningen has grown rapidly. In 1968 it expanded by mergers with Hoogkerk and Noorddijk,[63] and in 2019 it merged with Haren and Ten Boer.[51]
All historical data are for the original city limits, excluding Hoogkerk, Noorddijk, Haren and Ten Boer.
It has a land area of 168.93 km2 (65.22 sq mi), and a total area, including water, of 180.21 km2 (69.58 sq mi). Its population density is 1,367 residents per km2 (3,540 per square mile). On 1 January 2019, it was merged with the municipalities ofTen Boer andHaren. TheGroningen-Assen metropolitan area has about half a million inhabitants.
Groningen is nationally known as the "Metropolis of the North".[64] The city is regarded as the main urban centre of the Northern part of the country, particularly in the fields of education, business,[65] music and other arts.[66] It is also known as "Martinistad", referring to the tower of theMartinitoren,[22] which is named after Groningen'spatron saintMartin of Tours.[67] The large student population also contributes to the very diverse cultural scene for a city of its size.[22]
Since 2016 Groningen has been host of theInternational Cycling Film Festival, an annual film festival for bicycle related films. It takes place in the art house cinema of the old Roman Catholic Hospital.[68]
The first major international chess tournament after World War II was held in Groningen in 1946. The tournament, won byMikhail Botvinnik of the USSR, was the first time the Soviet Union had sent a team to a foreign event. An international chess "Schaakfestival Groningen tournament" has been held in the city in most years since 1946.[69]
Groningen is home to theGroninger Museum.[70] Its new building designed byAlessandro Mendini in 1994 echoes the Italian post-modern concepts and is notable for its futuristic and colourful style.[71][41] The city has amaritime museum, auniversity museum, a comics museum and a graphics museum.[72] Groningen is also the home ofNoorderlicht, an international photographic platform that runs a photo gallery and organizes an international photo festival.[73] TheForum Groningen that opened in 2019 is a cultural center consisting of a museum, art cinema, library, bars, rooftop terrace and tourist information office.[74]
Groningen has a city theatre called the Stadsschouwburg, located on the Turfsingel,[75] a theatre and concert venue called Martini Plaza,[76] and a cultural venue on the Trompsingel, called the Oosterpoort.[77] Vera is located on the Oosterstraat,[78] the Grand Theatre on the Grote Markt,[79] and Simplon on theBoterdiep.[80] Several cafés feature live music, a few of which specialize in jazz music, including theJazzcafe De Spieghel on the Peperstraat.[81] Groningen is the host city forEurosonic Noorderslag, an annual music showcase event for bands from across Europe.[82]
Groningen's active nightlife depends largely on its student population, with the Grote Markt, Vismarkt, Poelestraat and Peperstraat crowded nightly, most bars not closing until five in the morning.[27] From 2005 to 2007, Groningen was named "best city centre" of the Netherlands.[83] Groningen has ared-light district, calledNieuwstad.[84]
FC Groningen, founded in 1971, is the localfootball club, and as of 2000 they play in theEredivisie, the highest football league of the Netherlands.[85] Winners of theKNVB Cup in the2014–15 season,[86] their best Eredivisie result was in the 1990–91 season when they finished third.[87] Their current stadium which opened in January 2006 has 22,525 seats.[88][89] It is called theHitachi Capital Mobility Stadion; it was known as the "Euroborg stadium" before 2016, and "Noordlease Stadion" from 2016 to 2018.[90]
American sports are fairly popular in Groningen; it hasAmerican football,baseball, andbasketball clubs. Groningen's professional basketball clubDonar play in the highest professional league, theDutch Basketball League, and have won the national championship seven times.[91] TheGroningen Giants are the American football team of the city who play in the premier league of theAFBN and are nicknamed as the "Kings of the North".[92]
The running event called4 Miles of Groningen takes place in the city on the second Sunday of October every year with over 23,000 participants.[93] The2002 Giro d'Italia began in Groningen, including the prologue and the start of the first stage.[94] The city hosted the start and finish of the fifth stage of the2013 Energiewacht Tour.[95]
As of 2020, around 25% of the 230,000 inhabitants in Groningen are students. The city has the highest density of students and the lowest mean age in the Netherlands.[96]
TheHanze University of Applied Sciences (in Dutch:Hanzehogeschool Groningen) was founded in 1986 and is more focused on the practical application of knowledge, offering bachelor and master courses in fields like Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Communication and Multimedia Design, and Renewable Energy.[103][104] With around 8.1% international students, Hanze hosts more than 28,000 students and is one of the largest universities of applied sciences by enrollment in the Netherlands.[105]
Groningen is known as the "World Cycling City"; around 57% of its residents use a bicycle for regular commute within the city.[114] In 2000, Groningen was chosen as theFietsstad 2002, the top cycle-city in the Netherlands for 2002.[115] Similar to mostDutch cities, Groningen has developed to accommodate a large number of cyclists.[116] An extensive network of bike paths were planned to make it more convenient to cycle to various destinations instead of taking a car.[117]
The city has segregated cycle-paths, public transport, and a large pedestrianised zone in the city centre.[118] Groningen's city centre was remodeled into a "pedestrian priority zone" to promote walking and biking.[119] This was achieved by applying the principle offiltered permeability—the network configuration favoursactive transportation and selectively "filters out" traveling in a car by reducing the number of streets that run through the centre.[120] The streets that are discontinuous for cars connect to a network of pedestrian and bike paths which permeate the entire centre.[121] In addition, these paths go through public squares and open spaces, increasing aesthetic appeal and encouraging participation.[122] The logic of filtering a mode of transport is fully expressed in a comprehensive model for laying out neighbourhoods and districts—thefused grid.[123]
Groningen railway station (in Dutch:Hoofdstation) is the main railway station and has regular services to most of the major cities in the country.[41] The city's remaining two railway stations areEuropapark andNoord.[124][125]
^"Postcodetool for 9712HW".Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived fromthe original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved22 December 2013.
^van de Broek, Jan (2007).Groningen, een stad apart : over het verleden van een eigenzinnige stad (1000-1600). Assen: Koninklijke Van Gorcum. p. 71.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
^E.O. van der Werff,Martini. Kerk en toren. Assen, 2003, p. 53; F. Westra,Martinitoren. Groningen, 2009, p. 29. According to an improbable myth, the tower would have been 127 m high
^"Groningen – Partner Cities". 2008 Gemeente Groningen, Kreupelstraat 1,9712 HW Groningen. Archived fromthe original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved8 December 2008.
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