Gronau (Westphalia) is located on the border between Germany and the Netherlands in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is only about 10 km from the Dutch city of Enschede. The area surrounding the town is rural and mostly flat, which makes it an ideal place for a bicycle tour, horseback ride or hike.
Udo Lindenberg, one of Germany’s most famous rock musicians, was born in Gronau. He used his music as a way to protest the totalitarian society of the German Democratic Republic until the country was reunified in 1990. His fame may be the reason that the Rock’n’Pop Museum/Hall of Fame is located there.
It has been open since 2004 and is an impressive structure dedicated to preserving the sights and sounds of modern music. There are 47 sound system monitors in the building and 200 loudspeakers, which give you a feeling of attending a live concert. More than 10 million euros have been invested in the project so far, and it is becoming a sight to see.
If you are a fan of popular music, be sure you attend, and be prepared to be transported back to the time of the British Invasion, Heavy Metal groups, or Techno music. Gronau also hosts a Jazz Fest every summer, which attracts musicians from a very different genre for many live performances.
The area around Gronau is well known for its bicycle routes. There are races held for cyclists of all ages and skill levels each fall when the weather is at its temperate best. The town and the countryside offer a wide variety of restaurants and taverns that provide a relaxing atmosphere and good food and drink. The area is famous for its rye bread as well as hams, roasts, beer, and schnapps.
In other words, it is the perfect place to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world and unwind. :-)
