Groningen

Groningen, a town and province of the Netherlands, at the junction of the Hunse and the Aa, and nearly 50 miles east of Harlingen. The old town is surrounded by a ditch, crossed by eighteen bridges, and there are several open spaces, the largest of which is the Breedemarkt. Five of the principal streets are named after old local families. Among the chief buildings are a town hall, provincial administrative offices, a well-appointed university, and twelve churches, the chief of which are St. Martin's, the Aa church, and the New Church, and an institution for the deaf and dumb. There is a good trade, and among the industries are cotton and woollen-weaving, flax-spinning, rope, salt, beer, vinegar and soap-making, and gold and silver-working. The town is of great antiquity.