Meppel, Koekange, Ruinerwold

Meppel is sometimes called the ‘Amsterdam of the North’, not only because it has a Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and Heerengracht, where the Grachtenfestival is held at the beginning of June, but also because of the large Jewish community that lived there before the Second World War. Meppel residents are also called ‘mosquitos’. The folk tale goes that the residents thought the tower of the Grote or Maria church was on fire. It turned out to be a swarm of mosquitoes...

The farmlands will transport you to Drenthe's ‘land of plenty’. The name Koekange comes from the French Pays de Cocagne, a term used in the Middle Ages for a land of abundance and wealth. In reality, the living conditions in the peat bog region around Koekange were harsh. However, the name suggested a fertile and prosperous region, and thus helped to boost the image of this peat bog region. This in turn helped to attract settlers and peat cutters.