Zuidlaren (Drents: Zuudlaoren, Gronings: Zuudloaren) is a village in the north of the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. Zuidlaren was an independent municipality until 1998, but has since been part of the municipality of Tynaarlo.
To the east of the village, on the canal to the Zuidlaardermeer, is the De Wachter museum mill. It is a windmill where grains and spices are ground, with an option to fall back on steam engines in case of insufficient wind.
Zuidlaren, a picturesque village in the province of Drenthe in the
northern Netherlands, boasts a history that spans from prehistoric
settlements to its modern role as a cultural and recreational hub within
the municipality of Tynaarlo. Situated on the Hondsrug, a natural ridge
formed during the Ice Age, the area has long been attractive for human
habitation due to its elevated, drier terrain amid the surrounding peat
bogs and lowlands. With a population exceeding 10,000, Zuidlaren is
renowned for its annual Zuidlaardermarkt, one of Europe's oldest and
largest horse markets, which underscores its enduring agricultural and
trading heritage. The village's evolution reflects broader regional
patterns in Drenthe, from ancient megalithic structures to medieval peat
exploitation, industrial shifts, and post-war administrative changes.
Prehistory and Early Settlement
The origins of human activity in
the Zuidlaren area trace back to prehistoric times, as part of Drenthe's
rich archaeological landscape. The Hondsrug ridge, where Zuidlaren lies,
was formed approximately 150,000 years ago during the Saale glaciation,
creating a sandy, elevated strip that provided fertile ground for early
inhabitants. Drenthe is famous for its hunebedden (dolmens), megalithic
tombs built by the Funnelbeaker culture around 3500–3000 BCE, with
several examples scattered throughout the province, though none directly
in Zuidlaren itself. These structures indicate organized farming
communities that cleared forests for agriculture and burial sites.
Evidence of later prehistoric and early historic settlement includes
coin hoards discovered in the 19th century. In 1860, two significant
hoards of late 9th-century Italian deniers (silver coins) were unearthed
in Zuidlaren and nearby Zuidbarge, suggesting trade or Viking-era
activity in the region during the Carolingian period. This points to
Zuidlaren as part of early medieval trade networks, possibly linked to
the nearby peatlands and waterways that facilitated commerce.
Medieval Period (11th–16th Centuries)
Zuidlaren's documented history
begins in the medieval era, intertwined with the broader governance of
Drenthe under the Bishopric of Utrecht from 1046 to 1522. The village
likely emerged as a linear settlement along the Hondsrug, benefiting
from its strategic position for farming and trade. A key early reference
comes from 1262, when land in the nearby Zuidlaarderveen (a peat bog
area) was sold to the Aduard Abbey for excavation, marking the start of
systematic peat harvesting that fueled the Dutch economy for centuries.
This peat settlement, first mentioned around 1642 as "op Suitlarerveen,"
highlights Zuidlaren's role in resource extraction.
The defining
feature of Zuidlaren's medieval history is the establishment of the
Zuidlaardermarkt. Tradition dates the market to around 1200, with the
first documented charter referencing it in 1232, though some sources
cite a mention in 1701 for specific regulations. Held annually on the
third Tuesday of October, it began as a cattle and horse trading event,
growing into Europe's largest horse market and the oldest animal market
in the Netherlands, now over 800 years old. This market attracted
traders from across Europe, boosting the local economy and establishing
Zuidlaren as a regional center. In the 16th century, Drenthe passed to
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1536, incorporating it into Habsburg
dominions, which influenced local administration and trade.
Early
Modern Period (17th–19th Centuries)
During the Dutch Golden Age and
beyond, Zuidlaren continued as an agricultural and trading village. The
Laarwoud manor, a notable landmark, has roots in this era; its middle
section dates to 1688, owned by the Van Selbach family in the 17th
century before being purchased in 1750. This noble estate reflects the
presence of landed gentry and the shift toward more formalized rural
architecture.
The 18th century saw the birth of one of Zuidlaren's
most famous sons, Lodewijk van Heiden (1773–1850), a Dutch naval officer
who served in the Russian Imperial Navy and became a hero at the Battle
of Navarino in 1827 during the Greek War of Independence. He is
immortalized in the statue of "Berend Botje," a children's song
character based on him, symbolizing local pride in maritime exploits.
In the 19th century, peat digging intensified, and the Zuidlaardermarkt
expanded, drawing international attention. The village's first mention
as a peat-related settlement in 1642 underscores this economic focus. By
the late 1800s, a Jewish community was established in 1883, with a
synagogue opening in the Zuiderstraat in 1884, reflecting growing
diversity amid the Netherlands' broader Jewish history from the 16th
century onward.
20th Century and World War II
The early 20th
century brought modernization, with Zuidlaren functioning as an
independent municipality. The Zuidlaardermarkt continued as a cultural
staple, even featured in British Pathé films in the 1950s showcasing its
horse trading vibrancy.
During World War II (1940–1945), Zuidlaren,
like much of the Netherlands, suffered under Nazi occupation. The local
Jewish community was devastated; stumbling stones (Stolpersteine) at
Annerweg 13 commemorate the De Vries family, murdered in Auschwitz. A
World War II memorial in front of the former Laarwoud town hall honors
fallen residents, with annual commemorations on May 4 emphasizing
remembrance of war victims past and present. The village's strategic
location on the Hondsrug may have played a role in resistance
activities, though specific details are limited.
Post-war
reconstruction focused on community rebuilding. In 1986, a fire
destroyed part of the Prins Bernhardhoeve exhibition complex, leading to
the "Vriendschap Vereeuwigd" statue, funded by a German Rotary club,
symbolizing international friendship.
Recent Developments (Late
20th Century to Present)
In 1998, Zuidlaren merged with Eelde and
Vries to form a new municipality initially named Zuidlaren, renamed
Tynaarlo in 1999 after a central hamlet. The town hall relocated to
Vries in 2004, replacing Laarwoud. This administrative shift aimed at
efficiency but preserved Zuidlaren's identity as the largest settlement.
Cultural preservation has been key, with landmarks like the Windmill 'De
Wachter' (a corn and oil mill with bakery and museum) and village greens
(brinken) maintaining historical charm. Events such as the NIC Zuidlaren
international horse riding competition and weekly markets continue
traditions. In 2000, then-Crown Prince Willem-Alexander unveiled a horse
and horsetraders statue during the Zuidlaardermarkt, celebrating its
heritage.
The village is located on the Hondsrug, 16 kilometers southeast of the city of Groningen and 14 kilometers northeast of Assen. Zuidlaren has seven brinken and therefore Zuidlaren is often seen as a green village. The Pieterpad also runs along some of these green areas.
Zuidlaren
is divided into various neighborhoods, of which Westlaren and
Schuilingsoord used to be separate villages. Statistics Netherlands
distinguishes the following neighborhoods (with the corresponding
CBS neighborhood code)
Schuilingsoord (0500 and scattered
houses 0509)
Westlaren (0400, North 0401, West 0403 and scattered
houses 0402)
Zuides/ South (0001)
Centrum/ Center (0000)
Zuidlaren had 10,190 inhabitants in 2020, making
it the second largest village in the municipality of Tynaarlo (after
Eelde-Paterswolde).
Religion and philosophy
Zuidlaren has
5 different churches: The PKN Dorpskerk, De Ontmoeting CGK, PKN
Laarkerk, GKv Kandelaarkerk and the Maria-ten-Hemel-Opneming church
(RK). Zuidlaren also has a synagogue. It has been in Zuidlaren since
1884 and is still in use.
Two parts of Zuidlaren are a protected village view: Zuidlaren around the Brink and Dennenoord. There are also several national monuments in the village.
Amusement park Sprookjeshof can be found
on Groningerstraat, also on the east side of the village. This is
both an indoor and outdoor amusement park. The park is mainly aimed
at younger children and is suitable for children's parties. There
are several cafés in Zuidlaren for the (young) adult public. For
example, you have the Vliegh, the Black Cat and the Paris. You also
have the Gouden Leeuw where bigger performances are given. The
village also has a subtropical indoor swimming pool, called
Aqualaren. The swimming pool is suitable for lessons but also for a
day out. Northeast of the village lies the 660 hectare
Zuidlaardermeer with many water sports and catering facilities.
Images
Important statues in Zuidlaren are Berend Botje and
the Zuidlaardermarkt Monument. The sculpture Berend Botje refers to
the children's song of the same name. The Zuidlaardermarkt Monument
is a sculpture group in honor of the 800th Zuidlaardermarkt.
Another statue is known as 'Friendship Vereeuwigd'. The statue is on
the Brink O.Z. (East Side) right opposite the main entrance of the
Prins Bernhardhoeve. The image refers to the fire that destroyed a
large part of the Prins Bernhardhoeve in 1986. The name of the
statue was coined by R.C. Zuidlaren-Anloo, the local Rotary club.
This is because the sculpture was funded by a Rotary club friendly
in Achim, Germany. The image has no title. It was made by Joop de
Blaauw, Johannes van Laer and Ko Vester. The partnership of these
three artists originated during an exhibition in Hooghalen where the
sculpture was made. The proceeds from the sculpture have benefited
an action by Freek de Jonge.
In Zuidlaren, the Zuidlaardermarkt is held annually on the third Tuesday in October. This is originally a horse market. The counterpart, the annual Rodermarkt, is on the 4th Tuesday of September in Roden, originally a cow market. The market is known as Europe's largest horse autumn market and is visited by around 150,000 people annually. Besides the sale of horses, there is also a goods market and there is a fair in the village all week. Swing-in-zuidlaardermeer is organized annually in June. There are various parties in the pavilions around the zuidlaardermeer. You can go from one place to another with taxi boats. The Northern International Equestrian Competition was held in the Prins Bernhardhoeve until 2009.