Veendam is a charming town in the heart of the Dutch province of Groningen. Veendam is more than just a stopover during a trip through the Netherlands. It is a city that welcomes its visitors with open arms and some of the sights in Veendam are simply not to be missed.
Veendam has its roots in the history of peat extraction and processing, which began in the 17th century. Originally an untouched moorland, peat extraction transformed the region into a thriving trading town.
The peat colonies, also known as “Veenkoloniën”, played a crucial role in the economic development of the Netherlands. In 1655, Adriaan Geerts Wildervanck founded the settlement that later became Veendam. The strategic extraction of peat made the region a center of trade and shipping. Canals were built to facilitate the transportation of the peat, and these waterways still characterize the cityscape today.
The wealthy merchants and industrialists who profited from the peat trade invested in the construction of elegant mansions and public buildings, which culturally enriched the town in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Over time, Veendam also underwent a transition from the peat industry to agriculture and trade. The introduction of new technologies and the development of new markets contributed to further economic development. Today, for example, the AVEBE Group has its headquarters in the town. The company processes potatoes grown in the region.
Sights in Veendam
A walk through the center of Veendam takes you past well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries that reflect the town’s prosperous history.
Grote Kerk
Just a few steps from our hotel, we discovered the Grote Kerk. The church, one of the sights in Veendam, dates back to 1662 and is used by the Protestant community. We were attracted by the church’s beautiful carillon, which was playing a very melodious tune.
Large arched windows dominate the exterior façade and a tall tower rises up. The bells can be seen inside.
Town Hall Square
I also find the Raadhuisplein particularly beautiful. This is where the city hall is located and some of the beautiful old buildings have been preserved. Isn’t the Gemeentehuis with its red and black shutters a real eye-catcher?
Veenkoloniaal Museum Veendam
The Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam is housed in a monumental building dating from 1911 and is one of the most important sights in Veendam. When you enter the museum, you find yourself in a high, modern hall that connects the old museum building with an extension. This is where you will find the town library, for example.
The unique museum offers an impressive journey back to the time when peat extraction shaped the life and landscape of this region. It tells the stories of the people who lived and worked in the peat colonies. You get an insight into the hard life of the peat cutters who shaped this region with their work. Original tools, photographs and documents bring the past to life and make the challenges and achievements of the time tangible.
Some focal points of the exhibition
Shipping
The exhibition focuses on the period of the 19th century, when a large part of the Dutch maritime fleet originated from the Veen colonies of Groningen. The museum shows the development of shipping in the region, including the history of hundreds of barges and the families of the skippers who sailed from Veendam to various parts of Europe.
Biographies of Dutch potato starch producers
This section of the exhibition highlights the stories of dozens of producers and shows the importance of the potato starch industry for the region. The so-called ‘golden potato’, which was grown in this region, produces more potato starch than other potatoes.
History of Lloyds Insurance
An interesting exhibition is dedicated to the famous Lloyds Insurance Company from London, which established itself in Veendam as early as 1868.
Connection to Riga
The historical connection between the municipality of Veendam and the Latvian city of Riga is also the subject of the exhibition, which offers an exciting insight into the international relations of the region.
Changing exhibitions
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, various art and cultural themes are presented in the temporary exhibitions.
Veendam is the terminus of the longest museum railway line in the Netherlands. It runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam.
The first trains ran on this line as early as 1905, but with the expansion of roads in the region, rail traffic became less and less important and the railroad operators finally ceased operations in 1990.
However, it was decided to preserve the railroad line as an industrial monument. In 1994, the first museum trains rolled through the Groningen region and it is even possible to ride along as a passenger. The historic carriages are pulled by a steam locomotive and you can experience first-hand how people traveled by train over 100 years ago.
Tip: In Stadskanaal there is a small museum on the history of the Veendam-Stadskanaal railroad line and you can even spend the night in a converted carriage.
On the website of the museum train you can not only check the departure times of the museum train. It is also possible to buy tickets online.
Walk along the waterways
My personal highlight in the city was the canals. We took a stroll along some of the waterways and were lucky enough to be able to watch some of the boats sail by.
Numerous small bridges cross the waterways, all of which are far too low for today’s rather high ships. Two bridge keepers cycled from bridge to bridge on their bicycles. Whether swing bridge or bascule bridge, two bridges were always opened and several ships passed through. After the last ship had passed the bridge, it was closed again and the bridge keeper cycled on to the next bridge. I wonder how many times a day they do this?
I particularly liked some of the beautiful old houses along the canals.
Excursion destinations in Veendam
It’s not just the city’s sights that offer visitors variety. There are several excursion destinations that have something to offer visitors of all ages.
Borgerswold recreation park
On the western edge of Veendam, just a short walk from the town center, is the impressive 450-hectare Borgerswold recreation area.
Originally created in the 1970s as a sand pit in the peat landscape, the area has developed into a versatile leisure park that attracts both locals and visitors from the region.
We leave our car in one of the parking lots at the edge of the grounds and set off on a walk towards the large lake in the middle of the grounds. The entire site is criss-crossed by well-maintained and signposted hiking and cycling trails. I also discover signposted bridle paths which, to my delight, were being used by some riders from the nearby riding stables.
We walk along canals and meadows, occasionally entering shady wooded areas. Then we reach the large lake, where some water skiers are doing their laps. On the other shore, I discover a beach where visitors are taking advantage of the warm day to swim. A perfect place to relax!
We discover other attractions on a map of the park, such as a climbing forest, a small petting zoo, a basketball court, a skate course and a golf course.
I particularly like the Veenjagerspad, which is designed to encourage children and their parents to get moving. There are a total of 13 stations that families can discover over a distance of almost 3 kilometers. From the horizontal bar to balancing over wooden beams, there are various tasks to master. Not only are the tasks explained on boards, but an animal is also depicted. The first letter of the name is needed to solve a puzzle!
The Borgerswold is a great place, and not just with children. I really enjoyed our walk.
Zwembad Tropiqua – visit the subtropical swimming pool
Whatever the weather in Veendam, a visit to the subtropical swimming pool is pure relaxation for the whole family.
Warm water in the indoor and outdoor pools (25-32 degrees), paddling pools for children, water slides, a wild water channel and of course a sauna area (from 18 years) offer variety for the whole day. In summer, there is also the option of using the sunbathing lawns in the outdoor area.
If you are hungry after swimming, you can have a bite to eat in the Zwembad Tropiqua restaurant or enjoy a snack in between. This makes for a varied and relaxing day out in Veendam.
Address
Jan Salwaweg 2, 9641 LN Veendam, The Netherlands
Opening hours
Bath Monday-Friday: 10:00-21:30 Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm Sunday: 9-17 h
Sauna area Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm Wednesday: 10-13 h and 18-21 h Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sauna prices Adults: 6,95 €
Cycling and walking tours around Veendam
There are several signposted walking and cycling routes in and around Veendam. We discovered a number of maps at the tourist information office that present various tours. The tours are just under 4 kilometers to around 30 kilometers long and are always designed as a circular route. A QR code on the map provides further information about the route and you can display the route on your cell phone.
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