Market Square (Markt)

The Markt in Wageningen is the main square of this university town on the Nederrijn, the Lower Rhine, in the province of Gelderland, and it is the centre of town life. The imposing Grote Kerk stands next to it, and the square is surrounded by cafes, shops and restaurants, so it is a natural place to start a visit. Wageningen is a smaller town than most, but it has an unusual character because it is home to Wageningen University and Research, a world-famous centre for agriculture, food and the environment, and the lively student population gives the centre a youthful energy.

A weekly market is held in and around the square, with stalls extending into nearby streets such as the Raadhuisplein and the Vijzelstraat. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday, with the Saturday market lasting longer, though times can change for holidays and events, so check the local schedule. The stalls sell fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread, fish, flowers and household goods, and the market reflects the town's connection to food and farming, which has earned the region the nickname Food Valley. It is a good place to try local produce and see what people really buy.

Wageningen also has a significant place in Dutch history. At the end of the Second World War, on 5 May 1945, the German forces in the Netherlands signed their capitulation in the Hotel De Wereld in Wageningen, in the presence of Canadian General Charles Foulkes, which is why the town is associated with liberation and why the date is marked every year. The Grote Kerk was damaged in the fighting and restored, and the town centre was rebuilt after the war.

There are several places of interest nearby. The World Soil Museum, run by the university, explains why soil matters, and the Landbouw Museum, the agricultural museum, covers farming history. The Wageningen Urban Garden and the university campus show the town's role in food research, and the Rhenen-Wageningen Ferry takes foot passengers and cyclists across the Nederrijn to Rhenen, a pleasant short trip. The floodplains of the river, the Blauwe Kamer nature reserve and the Wageningse Berg offer walking and cycling.

The square suits visitors who like local markets, people-watching and a bit of history, and it is a good starting point for exploring the town on foot. Allow an hour for the market and a coffee, and go in the morning for the best choice at the stalls.