Sellingen

Sellingen was founded in the 12th century on a sandy ridge along the River {{ill|Ruiten Aa|nl}}. The church dates from the 1300s,{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu04_01/sten009monu04_01_0110.php |title=Sellingen |author=Redmer Alma |year=1998 |page=192 |publisher=Waanders Uitgevers |location=Zwolle |isbn=90-400-9258-3 |language=nl |access-date=1 March 2022}} however a church in Sellingen was already mentioned around 1150 on a list of possession of the Diocese of Osnabrück.{{cite book|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/boeken/view?objectsearch=Sellingen+&coll=boeken&identifier=MMKB24:076111000:00034&query=ter+apelkanaal |title=Gids voor Vlagtwedde |year=1936 |author=J. Engelkes |location=Sellingen}}{{rp|30}} In the 15th century, the Ter Apel Monastery was part of the parish of Sellingen.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Sellingen&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1920-1929%7C1927%7C&identifier=ddd:010668927:mpeg21:a0224&resultsidentifier=ddd:010668927:mpeg21:a0224&rowid=10 |title=De Kerk te Sellingen |date=25 June 1927 |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl}}

In 1665, the bishop of Münster secretly constructed a road through the moor from Walchum in Lower Saxony to Sellingen as part of a planned invasion of Groningen. At neighbouring Jipsinghuizen, the Münster Army was attacked by the Dutch Republic, and had to retreat after the Battle of Jipsinghuizen. The road was removed afterwards.{{rp|33}}

Around 1750, the first school was built in Sellingen.{{cite web|url=https://www.plaatsengids.nl/sellingen |title=Sellingen |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl}} In October 1964, a road was opened between Sellingen and Walchum. Despite protests by both municipalities, the border remained fenced off, because Germany did not want to establish a border post.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Walchum&coll=ddd&page=2&identifier=ddd:010568573:mpeg21:a0051&resultsidentifier=ddd:010568573:mpeg21:a0051&rowid=4 |title=Geen autoverkeer over nieuwe verbinding Nederland-Duitsland |website=Gereformeerd gezinsblad |date=10 October 1964 |language=nl |access-date=1 March 2022}}

Sellingen used to be part of the municipality of Bourtange. In 1821, it became part of Vlagtwedde.{{rp|9}} Many people desired a more central location of the municipal council. In 1889, the council voted to move the seat to Sellingen.{{rp|11}} In 2017, Vlagtwedde merged into Westerwolde, however Sellingen is still one of the two seats.

There was still a raised bog to the west of Sellingen. In the 1930s, the heath was cultivated, however {{convert|600|ha}} of forest remained, and is known as the Sellingerbossen.{{cite web|url=https://westerwolde.groningen.nl/zien-doen-beleven/natuur/bossen-in-westerwolde |title=Bossen in Westerwolde |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl}} It is somewhat random landscape with forests, meadows and swamps, and is known for its variety of damselflies.{{cite web|url=https://www.vlinderstichting.nl/libellen/alles-over-libellen/verspreiding-en-zeldzaamheid1/libelrijke-gebieden/sellingerbossen |title=Sellingerbossen |website=Vlinderstichting |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl}}

The {{ill|Hasseberg|nl}} is located near the German border, and is the highest point in Groningen at {{convert|14.6|m}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.canonvannederland.nl/nl/page/100193/hasseberg |title=Hasseberg |website=Canon van Nederland |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl}}

• Geert Meijer (born 1951), footballer{{cite web|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player10/geertmeijer.html |title=Geert Meijer |website=Newcastle Fans |access-date=1 March 2022}}
• Anke de Vries (born 1936), children's book author{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/coil001lexi01_01/lvdj01073.php |title=Anke de Vries |author=Eefje Buenen |year=2014 |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=nl |pages=1–7}}

File:Sellingen - gemeentehuis.jpg|Municipal council

File:Hasseberg.jpg|Hasseberg

File:Sellingen 1.jpg|Sellingen (2018)

File:Voor- en zijgevel PBK 'Buiten' 1927 en 1928 - Sellingen - 20507418 - RCE.jpg|Sellingen (1927 or 28)

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Sellingen}}

{{Dutch municipality Westerwolde}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Groningen (province)

Category:Westerwolde (municipality)