Ontstwedde

Onstwedde is an old 'esdorp' or farming village, that originated in the early Middle Ages. The name occurs for the first time in 875. The village has two communal farm fields (calles 'es'). In the village are two elevations of 10 meters above sea level. These are Onstwedder Holte and the Es at Veenhuizen. These hills are moraines, created in the late glacial period. To the north lies the dr.Hommesbos nature reserve.The Gothic Nicholas Church dominates the village centre. The church was built around 1500, the tower is older and was built around 1400. The tower is one of the three 'juffer towers' in Groningen: these are towers with a masoned spire, probably named after their resemblance to a tapered pine (called a'juffer' in Dutch).The Slaait'nhoes museum restaurant is located in Onstwedde. This local history museum has a collection of clothes and objects that set the scene of the region's history. Furthermore, they give sanding carpet demonstrations. Alternatively, the Radio and Toy Museum, with a large collection of nostalgic toys, is worth a visit.