Page 196 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

194  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

flooded as a defence line in
Holland, and of Naarden’s
eventful past. Costumed
gunners regularly demonstrate
the ancient artillery. There is a
nice walk around the town along
the footpaths on the walls.
E Comeniusmuseum
Kloosterstraat 33. Tel 035- 6943045.
Open Tue–Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr,
25 Dec, 31 Dec. & =
∑ comeniusmuseum.nl
E Nederlands Vestingmuseum
Westwalstraat 6. Tel 035-6945459.
The Muiderslot, built in 1280, a site of many legends Open 10:30am–5pm Tue–Fri, from
noon Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan,
g Muiden then later destroyed and rebuilt 27 Apr, 25 Dec. & 7 =
around 1350. In the 15th and ∑ vestingmuseum.nl
Road Map C3. * 6,700. @
16th centuries, it was occupied
In the Middle Ages, the pretty in turn by the Spanish and the
town of Muiden was an outport French. The first thing you j ’s-Graveland
for Utrecht but later became notice on arrival is the tower of Road Map C3. * 9,200. @
part of the defence system of the 14th-century Grote Kerk.
the Stelling van Amsterdam The church’s wooden vaulted ’s-Graveland is a special
(see p192), together with fort ceiling has been beautifully place in Het Gooi (see p176).
island Pampus. The town is decorated with pictures from In the 17th century, nine
mainly known for its castle, the Old and New Testament. country estates were built
the Muiderslot, which is more Around 400 years ago, Czech here for rich Amsterdammers.
than 700 years old and was priest Comenius fled to the Just across from these lie
built by Floris V. After his death Netherlands, and now lies the modest houses that
it was demolished and rebuilt. buried in the 15th-century belonged to the labourers.
The most famous inhabitant Waalse kapel (Walloon chapel). Businesses now use the
was the 17th-century poet The Spaanse Huis (Spanish country houses, as the upkeep
PC Hooft, who formed the house), which was converted is too expensive for individuals.
Muiderkring (Muiden circle), a into the Waag (weigh house), Five parks are owned by the
circle of friends occupied with is now home to the Vereniging Natuurmonumenten
literature and music. Most of Comeniusmuseum, which and are open to visitors.
the castle rooms are furnished explores the life and ideas of You can learn more at
in 17th- and 18th-century style. the Czech scholar Jan Amos the Bezoekerscentrum
The garden and orchard also Comenius (1592–1670), who (visitors’ centre).
retain their former glory. Visitors is buried here. The Nederlands
can take the ferry to Pampus. Vestingmuseum (fortress P Bezoekerscentrum Gooi-en
museum) is in one of the six Vechtstreek
+ Muiderslot bastions of the fortress and has Noordereinde 54b. Tel 035-6563080.
Herengracht 1. Tel 0294-256262. an exhibition of the Hollandse Open Tue–Sun.
Open Apr–Oct: daily; Nov–Mar: Waterlinie, a strip of land ∑ natuurmonumenten.nl
Sat & Sun. & 8 ∑ muiderslot.nl

+ Pampus
g from Herengracht 33 (Apr–Oct:
Tue–Sun) Tel 0294-262326.
∑ pampus.nl

h Naarden
Road Map C3. * 17,000.
@ £ ( Sat.
The fortified town of Naarden
lies behind a double ring of
canals and walls. The original
town is thought to have been
founded in the 10th century, Star formation of the fortress of Naarden
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p397 and pp409–10

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