Bevrijdingsbos, Nature area and war memorial in Groningen, Netherlands.
The forest contains approximately 30,000 maple trees spread across about 9 hectares on the northern edge of Groningen. It combines wooded areas with commemorative stones and paths designed for walking and reflection.
Canadian forces liberated Groningen from German occupation in April 1945, an event that led to the creation of this commemorative forest. The woodland was planted in 1995 as a lasting tribute to that liberation.
Stones from ten countries line the forest paths, displaying texts about children's rights in different languages. These markers turn the place into a space where visitors encounter messages about values that matter across borders.
The forest can be accessed from Noorddijkerplein, where signboards explain the area's background and purpose. Following the marked paths through the woodland helps visitors navigate and find the commemorative stones along the way.
A maple leaf sculpture sits near a pond in the forest, representing Canada's national symbol. This artwork directly links the forest's Canadian connection to the thousands of maple trees that define the space.
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