Imagine a stunning drive through the UNESCO Wadden area, along the intriguing Dollard coast, to the Grain Republic.
In the distance, you see the coastline of Germany with the port city of Emden, and around you a unique and rare wide area. But as empty as the landscape seems, the history and stories are special.
The stories that tell you about the immense struggle for centuries against the waters of the Dollard?
The newly reclaimed land turned out to be a gold treasure for farmers; the rise of the Grain Republic, with its immense wealth. You will get to see it with your own eyes.
In this part of Groningen, the Allies fought to the last during World War II because of its strategic position on the Dollard opposite the German port of Emden. Among other things, the bunkers in the landscape, but not only that, are witness to it.
This eventful history is now being developed further, because the area is not standing still.
Along the way, you have some superstops: including a look at the seal viewing wall, walk to the iconic bird-watching hut located outside the dike, and we visit the De Graanrepubliek, where you can see and taste the grain in surprising ways.
The Dollard area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadden Sea. the Wadden area has this status because of the special environment created by its sandbanks, tidal channels, unique salt marsh landscape and wetlands. The Punt van Reide is truly unique in this respect.
