Grand historic structure: Monastery in Ter Apel

Monastery

unique building

lovely area

History

Ter Apel

The beautifully situated Monastery in Ter Apel

At the Monastery in Ter Apel, discover a unique historical structure surrounded by deciduous forests and a breathtakingly beautiful environment. This monastery was and remains a place of hospitality and devotion for passing travellers and pilgrims. The monastery dates back to 1465 and can be found in Ter Apel, in the furthest southeast corner of the province of Groningen. Situated on a heavily wooded sand ridge, it lies along the old trade route from Münster in Germany to the city of Groningen.

The Monastery in Ter Apel and ‘Domus Novae Lucis’

In the year 1465, the Order of the Holy Cross accepted the monastery, then still called ‘Apell’, as a gift from God. The settlement was gifted to them by pastor and vicar Jacobus Wiltingh in the year 1464, on the condition that a monastery would be built. The Order's administration had meanwhile appointed the Crosier Monastery of St Gertrude in Bentlage, Germany, as the mother house. Priests and lay brothers were sent from here in the 15^e were sent to the current Monastery of Ter Apel. The monastery was given the name ‘House of the New Light’ (‘Domus Novae Lucis’ in Latin).

Reformation in 1593

After the four priests and lay brothers took up residence, further construction was carried out on the Monastery in Ter Apel. In addition to the convent building, water mills, a gatehouse, a bakery and brewery, a parchment house, and accommodation for guests were also built. However, when William of Nassau conquered the area in 1593, the Reformation took place. The Catholic faith was renounced.

Problems after the year 1600

In the centuries following 1600, the monastery was plagued by major problems in the form of fire, storm, and sky-high maintenance costs. This necessitated the demolition of the west facade, among other things. The same fate befell the cells of the Crozier Fathers in 1834, as well as the vaults in the church in 1837.

City engineer De Vos to Nederveen Cappel

Fortunately, between 1930 and 1933, the municipality of Groningen decided on a thorough restoration plan for the Monastery in Ter Apel. Under the inspiring leadership of De Vos tot Nederveen Cappel, a well-known city engineer at the time, the monastery was carefully restored and preserved. You can find more information about what was tackled at this location at that time on the monastery's website: www.kloosterterapel.nl.

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Jan Sterenberg and Danish architect Johannes Exner

Architect Jan Sterenberg also left his mark on the Ter Apel Abbey. He was known as a passionate advocate for cheaper and better housing in our country. Initially, Sterenberg began his career as a designer of bungalows in locations including Ter Apel. However, he later designed large housing projects and was also responsible for the urban planning for them. Only after his retirement did Sterenberg dedicate himself to the current abbey museum in Ter Apel. And how. Thanks to his involvement, the west wing of the abbey was designed according to the plans of Johannes Exner, a Danish architect.

Reconstruction of model brewery in 2007

In 2007, the monastery, which belongs to the Top 100 UNESCO sites in the Netherlands, was reconstructed again. This time, it was the turn of the attic area in both the north and east wings. In addition, a model brewery was reconstructed in the vaulted provision cellar.

A monastery for everyone

A visit to this unique monastery is certainly recommendable. For children too, this is a true journey of discovery through Dutch history. Among other things, young visitors get acquainted with a quill pen and, if they dare, they can walk on the floor of the monastery attic. The large trees in the monastery woods offer a great hiding place, and the woods are a very pleasant walking location for adults. After visiting the monastery, there are more places to visit in the Emmen area?

Fancy a rest after all those activities? You can, of course, do that at our hotel. View our rooms with just one click of a button.

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