Uithuizen: Churches, Menkemaborg and Historic Architecture

If you’re looking for a hotel in Uithuizen and want to combine your stay with culture, you can plan your trip around specific interests. Church art, Menkemaborg with its reconstructed garden, historic architectural styles and a windmill offer a range of different focal points. A pilgrims’ walk and cycling routes also provide reasons to plan your time in the area around particular themes. The sights reveal what makes Uithuizen a cultural destination: medieval church art, architectural history and routes with different destinations.

Church Art and Routes

The Jacobikerk, also known as Dionysiuskerk, was built in its present form between 1225 and 1250. The choir vault features paintings from the 15th century. This means two distinct periods can be identified in the same church: the construction phase of the present structure and the later vault paintings. The Arp Schnitger organ in Uithuizen has 28 stops and offers a separate focus on the subject of organs. A pilgrims’ walk in Uithuizen provides an opportunity to visit at least one medieval church. The Jacobspad is fully signposted; check the current route markings before setting out, as they may change.

Menkemaborg and Garden

Menkemaborg was built in the 14th century. The garden to the west was reconstructed based on the original garden plan from around 1705. This brings together two distinct periods: the medieval building and a garden whose design is based on a plan from the early 18th century. The construction date and garden plan offer a concrete way to place the estate’s history in time.

Menkemaborg is a ten-minute walk from Uithuizen railway station. Check current transport information before travelling, as it may change. Tickets for Menkemaborg can be purchased at the door.

Architectural Styles and Change

Huize Tocama is probably a cross-house farmstead built in the 19th century, with a neck barn, main barn and outbuilding. A renovation in 1914 gave the building its present eclectic style. The names of the barns describe the layout of the building type, while the 1914 renovation marks a later stage in its design. Huize Tocama is currently being reinforced and restored. Check whether visits are possible before travelling.

The present-day windmill De Liefde dates from 1866: an earlier post mill was demolished and replaced with a new gallery Dutch windmill. This change in mill type is part of the area’s history, alongside its church and manor-house architecture, but offers a distinct focus on historic technology.

Cycling Routes with Different Destinations

The “Wealth as far as the eye can see” cycling route starts and ends at Menkemaborg in Uithuizen. Along the way, it passes impressive farmhouses, medieval churches and stately manor houses. The first stage of the “Mini-fietsvakantie Oost-Groningen” runs from the manor house in Uithuizen to the Wadden Sea.

The distinction is useful when planning: one route starts and ends at Menkemaborg and passes several types of historic buildings; the other description covers a first stage with the Wadden Sea as its destination. This makes it easy to distinguish the two routes by their respective itineraries.

Discover more destinations: Uithuizermeeden, Roodeschool, Oudeschip, Eemshaven, Warffum

Return to the regional travel overview: Eemsmond.