Noordhorn

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Noordhorn is a small village in the province of Groningen, in the Netherlands. It is part of the Westerkwartier municipality and sits on a sandy ridge, separated from the nearby Zuidhorn by the Van Starkenborgh Canal. The northern part is Noordhorn and the southern part is Zuidhorn.

Noordhorn was first mentioned in 1398 as Noirthoren. Its church has 13th‑century elements and was founded by Aduard Abbey. The village was not ruled by a lord.

Highlights from history:
- In 1498, Nittert Fox demanded a ransom from Groningen; when it wasn’t paid, he burned Noordhorn and Zuidhorn.
- In the Dutch Revolt, Groningen initially sided with Spain. The Battle of Noordhorn on 30 September 1581 was won by Spain. After the Siege of Groningen in 1594, Groningen joined the Dutch Republic.
- Noordhorn was traditionally considered part of Zuidhorn.
- In 1795 the village had about 550 residents.
- In 1808 Noordhorn became the seat of a commune including Zuidhorn, but this changed again in 1814.
- In the 1930s the Van Starkenborgh Canal was dug, creating a physical separation from Zuidhorn. A new bridge and a tunnel through Noordhorn were built, with the tunnel opening in 2014.

In 2018 Noordhorn became part of the Westerkwartier municipality. Today the village covers about 1.13 square kilometers, sits about 2 meters above sea level, and had 1,365 residents in 2021.