Overschild: Windmill, Village Church and Ried Moor

Overschild combines architectural history with a landscape shaped by moors and water. The village church and Windlust windmill tell of different historical periods; in Tetjehorn, the ried moor and Schildmeer lake take centre stage. There is also the “Ommetje Windlust” circular route for walks or cycle rides. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Overschild, you can include these highlights in your travel plans: are you especially interested in architecture and history, a walking or cycling tour, or the landscape around Schildmeer lake?

Village Church and History

The village church in Overschild was built in 1880 in a simple Waterstaats style, but it is not a Waterstaatskerk. In the province of Groningen, it is considered a well-preserved example of a Reformed hall church from the late 19th century and a building of general cultural and architectural-historical value. The preserved 19th-century interior is also considered valuable. The church has been repurposed as a rest stop for cyclists, walkers and passers-by.

For orientation: the church is about 20 kilometres from the city of Groningen, immediately south of the Damsterdiep. For travel by public transport, 9292ov.nl is recommended; for cycling, a cycling route planner. This lets you tailor your travel plans to the mode of transport you intend to use, without inferring an exact journey time from the distance given.

Windlust and the Circular Route

Windlust windmill also has several clearly distinct building phases. It was built in 1859 as a ground-sail smock mill. Around 1914, H. Schuurman raised it to make it a gallery smock mill. These two details record both the mill’s original type and its later alteration, giving it a distinct place in Overschild’s architectural history.

The 10-kilometre “Ommetje Windlust” circular route runs from Windlust windmill in Overschild to ’t Roegwold and can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. Both modes of transport are specified for this route; its length gives you a concrete point of reference for planning. Another cycling bridge in the region is the wooden “Schildjer Tibat”: it crosses the Duurwold drainage canal, which runs through Schildmeer lake.

Tetjehorn, Schildmeer and ’t Roegwold

Tetjehorn lies on Schildmeer lake and is the largest ried moor in the province of Groningen. The area provides a habitat for various bird species, including the Eurasian bittern, bearded reedling and white-tailed eagle. The Biesterwied observation tower is located in Tetjehorn. From a height of six metres, visitors can look out over the ried moor and Schildmeer lake. The bird habitat and the open waterside landscape are both highlights here.

’t Roegwold lies between Overschild, Steendam and the sandy ridge from Siddeburen to Harkstede. The Staatsbosbeheer Tetjehorn car park (’t Roegwold) at Graauwedijk, 9625 PB Overschild, is also named as a point of reference for Tetjehorn. The wooden cycling bridge and the observation tower are distinct landmarks for exploring the Schildmeer area: the bridge crosses a canal, while the tower offers views of the ried moor and lake.

A Waterscape with a Long History

The Graauwe Dijk is also part of the landscape’s history. The monks of Wittewierum raised it to hold back water from the marshy moors of Lageland for the wierden area to the north. The dike is therefore not just a name in the area, but also a reminder of how people managed water in this region.

One early mention of Overschild comes from a document dating to around the year 1000. In it, Sibraht in Extra Saldmeda undertakes to pay 30 coins to Werden Abbey on the Ruhr. Together with the village church and Windlust, this historical reference shows how far back the accounts of Overschild go.

Discover more destinations: Steendam, Slochteren, Scharmer, Kolham.

Go to the main travel overview: Slochteren.