Leek, Netherlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leek
De Laik (Gronings)
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Town and former municipality
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Nienoord castle
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Location in Groningen
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 Leek
Location in Groningen (province)
Leek
Location in Netherlands
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| Country |  Netherlands |
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| Province |  Groningen |
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| Municipality |  Westerkwartier |
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| Merged | 2019 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 6.17 km2 (2.38 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 11,175 | ||
| • Density | 1,811.2/km2 (4,691/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Leekster | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
9350–9351
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| Area code | 0594 | ||
Leek is a village in the Groningen province in the northeastern Netherlands. It used to be its own municipality. On January 1, 2019, Leek became part of the larger Westerkwartier municipality.
The village of Leek is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the city of Groningen (city). You can find it along the A7 highway.
Leek started as a small settlement around a fortification. This fort was built during the Eighty Years' War against Spain. The name 'Leek' comes from a small stream called "Leke." People from Leek are called "Leeksters" in Dutch.
Every year around Pentecost, Leek hosts a big fair called Pinkstermarkt. Thousands of people from nearby areas come to enjoy it.
Close to the village is a shallow lake called the Leekstermeer. This lake is great for recreation, but it is actually in a different municipality and province.
Contents
Exploring Leek's Attractions
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Nienoord before its destruction in 1850
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Church of Midwolde
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Tomb monument of Anna van Ewsum and Carel Hieronymus von In- und Knyphausen, in the church of Midwolde
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Church of Tolbert
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The main attraction in Leek is the "Nienoord" estate. This estate was first built in 1508. After a fire destroyed the original building, a new manor-house was built in 1887. The beautiful gardens and a special shell grotto have been restored.
National Carriage Museum
Inside the Nienoord manor-house, you'll find the National Carriage Museum. This museum opened in 1958. It shows many different types of carriages and sleighs. You can see vehicles from the 18th to the 20th century. The museum has about 250 coaches. These were used by farmers, everyday people, noblemen, and even royalty.
Family Park Nienoord
The Nienoord estate also has a fun recreation park called Family-park Nienoord. Here, you can find model railways of different sizes. Some even use live steam!
Historic Churches in Leek
In the nearby villages of Tolbert and Midwolde, there are churches that date back to the 12th century. These churches are built in the Romano-Gothic style. This style is known for its brick walls and gables. They are often decorated with special patterns and recesses made from bricks.
The church in Midwolde has a famous tomb monument. It was sculpted by Rombout Verhulst. He was a very skilled artist who also decorated the tomb of the famous Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.
Population Centers in Leek
The area around Leek includes several other small towns and villages. These are Enumatil, Leek itself, Lettelbert, Midwolde, Oostwold, Tolbert, and Zevenhuizen.
See also
In Spanish: Leek (Groninga) para niños
