Page 245 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

SOUTH HOLLAND  243

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Achter de Kerk.
Tel 0182-512684.
Open Mar–Oct: 9am–5pm
Mon–Sat; Nov–Feb: 10am–4pm
Mon–Sat, 11am–5pm public hols.
Closed 1 Jan, 25 & 26 Dec. &
7 8 ∑ sintjan.com

Nieuwpoort town hall, built over the canal in 1696
q Gouda E Museum Gouda
Achter de Kerk 14. Tel 0182-
Road Map B4. * 72,000. £ 331000. Open 11am–5pm Tue–Sun.
n Markt 35 (0182-589110). Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr 25 Dec. &
( Thu am & Sat; phone tourist office ∑ museumgouda.nl
for information on cheese markets.
∑ welcometogouda.com
w Reeuwijkse
In 1272, Floris V granted Gouda its Plassen
city charter. Thanks to its strategic Road Map B4. n 0182-589110.
position on the Hollandse IJssel
and the Gouwe, the town The Reeuwijk lake district
developed into a flourishing was formed through peat
centre for beer brewing and excavation. Narrow roads pass
the textile industry in the 15th through the rectangular lakes,
century. However, Gouda became which owe their shape to for-
economically and politically mer parcels of land. The small
isolated during the Thirty Years village of Sluipwijk seems
War. The town recovered in the almost to fade away into the
17th and beginning of the 18th water. The best way to explore
The Purification of the Temple century due to its trade in cheese, this area is by bicycle or on
William of Orange donated this candles and pipes. foot. In the summer months
window, symbolizing the Gouda is still famous today for you can also take a boat trip
Netherlands’ longing to drive out its cheese and cheese markets. through this typically Dutch
the Spaniards, in 1567. Traders The markets are held on an lakeland scenery.
watch angrily as Jesus drives enormous three-sided square
moneylenders from the temple. around the Stadhuis, which
dates from 1450 and is one of e Nieuwpoort
the oldest in the Netherlands. Road Map B4. * 1,600. @ 90
With its many pinnacles and from Utrecht.
turrets, the building gives the
impression of being in the The whole of this magnificent
Flemish Gothic style. fortified town, which obtained
The Museum Gouda its city charter in 1283, has
(municipal museum) is in the been declared a listed area. The
former Catharina Gasthuis (St 17th-century street layout is
Catherine’s hospital), which practically intact. The city walls,
dates from the 14th century which are also intact, were
and later. The museum features originally built to ward off
paintings from the Hague attacks from the French but
School and unusual 16th- served mainly to protect the
century altar pieces. town against flooding. The town
hall, built over the inundation
Baptism of Jesus (1555) P Stadhuis lock, dates from 1696, while
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in Markt 1. Tel 0182-589110. the arsenal dates from 1781.
the Jordan River. The window was Open timings vary, call to check. Restoration work was carried
a gift from the Bishop of Utrecht. Closed public hols. & 8 by appt. out in 1998.

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