Discover Ten Boer: Church Art and Mill History

Ten Boer combines a long history of settlement with church art, mills, and opportunities for walks and bike rides. The village originated in the early Middle Ages as a wierde village on an elongated river embankment. Visitors seeking a historical and cultural focus for their stay can explore different periods and themes here—from the architectural history of Kloosterkerk to works of art in public spaces.

Kloosterkerk: Architecture and Historic Furnishings

Kloosterkerk Ten Boer is a single-nave Romanesque-Gothic church. The description “single-nave” refers to its floor plan, with one main nave; the style combines features of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Inside, several pieces from different periods come together, including a painted pulpit from 1530, pre-Reformation choir stalls incorporated into huifbanken, an 18th-century baptismal font, and a bell from 1705. The furnishings therefore cannot be attributed to a single period.

The church is also a useful landmark for other activities: the Educatieve route Ten Boer starts at the Bruine Beuk beside Kloosterkerk, at Kerkpad 3. No registration is required for this public walk. There is also a bus stop nearby: Boltbrug on Rijksweg is 750 metres from Kloosterkerk. This is a distance, not an indication of walking time.

Mill History and Different Functions

De Widde Meuln was built in 1839 as a barley-peeling mill and fitted out as a grain mill as well in 1855. Its features include a lift to gallery level. It is considered the only grain mill in the Netherlands with this feature. This combines a specific technical distinction with a varied history of use. Visiting hours are Saturdays from April to September, between 1 and 5 p.m. Check whether visits are currently possible before going.

Another mill with a history of its own is Molen Bovenrijge. It was originally built in 1903 between Thesinge and Ten Boer and served as a sawmill, polder mill, barley-peeling mill, and grain mill. Visitors can see wood being sawn at the mill; group tours are available on request.

Artwork and the History of Towpath Traffic

Several artworks offer different perspectives. The sculpture Schip in de Wind is a work by Herbert Koekkoek and stands on Parklaan by a cemetery. It evokes Ten Boer's historic connection through regular tow-barge traffic. From the 17th century onward, this traffic connected Ten Boer with Groningen, Appingedam, and Delfzijl. The history of local transport and the depiction of a ship are directly linked here.

The Grote Kijker is a viewing and art sculpture made of Corten steel, located on Spottershill in Ten Boersterbos; its lens points toward the city of Groningen. Access conditions in the area may change, so check them before visiting. The sculpture Zittende vrouw by Frans Kokshoorn stands on Koopmansplein in Ten Boer. Together, the works offer different subjects and locations without necessarily forming one unified art theme.

Getting Around on Foot and by Bike

The Educatieve route Ten Boer is a public walk exploring the area's nature and history. There are activities, QR codes, and videos at several stops. The route combines exercise with content to engage with along the way. Those looking for a walk that takes in both the landscape and local history will find both reflected in the route. As route infrastructure may be updated, it is worth checking the information before setting out.

Ten Boersterbos is part of the Hogeland nature reserve managed by Staatsbosbeheer. It has paths specifically designed for wheelchair users; this applies to those paths and not necessarily to every path in the forest. For cycling, the Ten Boer children's cycling route starts at cycle junction 55 on Stadsweg. Another cycling route, “Fietsen met Engelbert,” passes through Groningen, Ten Boer, and Engelbert. No distance is given for this route; the three places named describe its course, not the time it takes.

More Places to Visit

The De Blinkerd outdoor swimming pool in Ten Boer has a sunbathing lawn with climbing frames and a kiosk. This adds another specific destination to the historical and nature-related themes. Depending on your interests, you can plan your stay around church architecture, mill history, art, walking routes, cycling options, or the outdoor pool. Information about each place can help you choose suitable themes for your stay, without implying a particular order or a shared itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Sint Annen, Ten Post

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