Essen

Essen is a hamlet with roughly 20 farms arranged in a circular pattern within the Esserpolder between Groningen and Haren. The farms create a green buffer zone and maintain the rural character of a settlement shaped by medieval religious life.

The Yesse Monastery was founded in 1215 and operated as a Cistercian convent for women from wealthy local families until its closure in 1594. After the monastery dissolved, people established farms in the surrounding area, creating the hamlet that exists today.

The name Essen comes from the medieval convent that once stood here and shaped the settlement's identity. Today the circular arrangement of farms reflects the religious organization that influenced how people settled and lived in this polder landscape.

The archaeological walking park De Vork opened in 2019 near the hamlet and features marked trails through the historical landscape. The park is accessible on foot and allows visitors to explore the area's medieval foundations at their own pace.

Residents regularly uncover monastery artifacts in their gardens, revealing how deeply the convent's history is embedded in the land. These discoveries create an ongoing connection between daily life and the site's medieval religious heritage.