Great Market

The Grote Markt, until the 19th century known as the Breede Merckt, is the heart of the city of Groningen. It is dominated by the Martinitoren and the town hall. Another prominent building is the Goudkantoor.

It is assumed that Groningen originally started as a esdorp (a type of village). The current Grote Markt was originally, until the ninth/tenth century, a Drentse brink, with farmhouses located on the edges. The farmhouses on the north side were likely built on the brink itself. According to archaeological research so far, the oldest settlement in Groningen (4th century BC) was not located at the Grote Markt, but at the Martinikerkhof, on Oude Boteringestraat and Rode Weeshuisstraat.

Over the centuries, the Grote Markt has been the stage for all festive and solemn events in Groningen. Among them is the celebration on August 28th in commemoration of Gronings Ontzet. The square is also the place where locals gather when one of the Groningen sports clubs has won a prize.

Wandeloverzicht