Aduard offers several ways to explore its monastic history: the monastery’s former infirmary is now the Abdijkerk, and a 2 km Kloosterwandeling (Monastery Walk) passes important sites. The subject takes different forms at the Kloostermuseum, in historic buildings and on a digital tour. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish the walk in Aduard from the regional Middag-Humsterland route.
Abdijkerk and Kloostermuseum
The former monastery infirmary, now the Abdijkerk, was built in 1297 and is the oldest medical building in the Netherlands. A guided tour of the present-day Abdijkerk takes place after the museum visit. This lets you encounter both the building’s former function and its identity today during your visit.
The Kloostermuseum Sint Bernardushof is dedicated to the history of the Cistercian abbey of Sint Bernardus in “Adduwert”. It is housed in one of Aduard’s oldest houses, which dates from around 1600. The date 1297 refers to the former infirmary, while the date around 1600 relates to the museum building: two periods of construction marking different chapters in the history of the place.
More traces in the townscape
The brick arched bridge Steentil crosses the Aduarderdiep near Aduard. It was built between 1722 and 1723 and spans 12.80 metres. The building at Burg Seinenstraat 42 in Aduard is also noteworthy: it is considered an outstanding example of 13th-century Groningen brick architecture.
At the benches along the canal, artworks each tell part of the story of Aduard and its surroundings. The buildings and art offer different perspectives: here, a construction date and bridge span provide concrete measurements; there, the works along the canal reveal history piece by piece.
Experience history along the way
The 2 km Kloosterwandeling passes important sites in Aduard’s monastic history, following a series of installed pillars. During opening hours, you can borrow a tablet for the walk from the Kloostermuseum Aduard. The pillars and clearly defined distance give this historic walk a straightforward framework.
The Aduard 3D tour runs around the Kloostermuseum Aduard and uses an app to show 3D images from the Middle Ages along the route. There are seven artworks along the tour. When visitors point a smartphone or tablet at them, images appear showing what Aduard looked like in the Middle Ages. The tour also offers a virtual walk through the monastery.
Garden and Kloostermoppen
Behind the museum building is a garden where you can enjoy coffee or tea in peace. The museum garden includes a small herb garden laid out on the model of the original monastery gardens. Relaxation and a glimpse of garden history come together in one place.
A stone oven has stood in the museum’s back garden since 2008, where Kloostermoppen (monastery bricks) can be baked in the traditional way. The baking activity has an educational purpose and involves children and schools. As well as buildings and paths, baking is therefore one of the topics explored in connection with the monastery.
Regional perspective and practical planning
In Westerkwartier, you can discover the National Landscape of Middag-Humsterland. The Middag-Humsterland route follows cycle paths and quiet country roads through villages and past estates and churches. It therefore offers a different perspective from the Kloosterwandeling, which focuses specifically on the sites of Aduard’s monastic history.
The museum is accessible Monday to Friday and on Saturdays by bus 35 from Groningen station. The Bloemstraat stop is a two-minute walk from the museum. Check the timetable before travelling, as public transport information may change. There is ample free parking at the Kloostermuseum Aduard.
The Westerkwartier walking and cycling map is available from tourist information points in Aduard. If you would like to use a printed map, check its availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Visvliet, Grijpskerk, Zuidhorn, Niehove.
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