Netherlands > The History of Dordrecht

I slept very well last night. The advantage of this Bed and Breakfast is that we can arrange breakfast ourselves. This way, we don’t have to agree on a specific time. We set the table with rolls, eggs, orange juice, and coffee. It looks very well prepared. Outside, the sun is already shining on the canal houses. These houses form the back façades of the shops on Voorstraat. Many houses are in desperate need of serious maintenance. Due to their location along the canal, this is not easy. Many buildings appear to be centuries old. For today, we have chosen two city walks. One walk goes past the historic sites of Dordrecht, with plenty of explanations about the city in the description. The second walk is the NS walk starting from Dordrecht Stadspolders station. This walk runs right past our B&B. We decide to start with the historic walk. The walk begins at the Weeskinderendijk parking lot, where we parked yesterday. We decide not to walk all the way back and pick up the route at Kalkhaven. From here, we have a view of the enormous railway lift bridge. This bridge replaced the old rail connection in 1985. You can rightfully call the lift bridge a real eye-catcher of the city. Via Kalkhaven, we arrive at the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady). The origin of this cruciform basilica dates back to the 13th century. During the great city fire of 1457, the church was severely damaged. After restoration, it took on its current form. The tower was added starting in 1504 but was never fully completed. In 1572, during the Reformation, the church came into Protestant hands. Behind the church, we enter the Grotekerksbuurt. We pass our Bed and Breakfast. Beyond the town hall, the street changes into Groenmarkt. Here we turn into Vleeshouwersstraat, a narrow and cozy-looking street.

Netherlands - The small bridge keepers house at the Leuvebrug dates from 1937

Butchers used to be located here, and animals were slaughtered in the street. On the other side of the street, we come to the Nieuwe Haven (New Harbor). Due to growing trade, the harbor was dug in 1410. Because of its strategic location on the waterways, Dordrecht earned a lot of money trading wine, wood, grain, and wool. We pass the Lange IJzeren Brug (Long Iron Bridge). This steel bridge dates from 1855. We pass Huis van Gijn, a patrician house from 1729 belonging to the banker van Gijn. The museum is closed. We continue the route via Wolwevershaven, where we also walked last night. At the quay lies the historic steam tugboat Pieter Boele, moored since 1893. The ship is well maintained. Via Kuipershaven, we reach the Groothoofdspoort, the former city gate of Dordrecht. It is estimated that the gate dates from the 14th century. Behind the gate begins Wijnstraat (Wine Street). This street alone has about sixty national monuments. Many houses still have old wine cellars where the wine could mature. Via Nieuwbrug, we return to Voorstraat. A little further on, we pass through the impressive entrance gate of the original Munt van Holland (Mint of Holland). Coins were minted here since 1366. Behind the mint, we come again to a gate. This time, it leads to the courtyard of the 'Hof van Nederland', surrounded by the remains of the Augustinian monastery founded in 1275. In 1572, the first Free States Assembly took place here, where William of Orange was recognized as stadtholder. We have been out for about three hours. Although the city's history is very interesting, it becomes harder to absorb all the information. At a fish stall on the bridge, we order kibbeling — a perfect lunch. We walk back to the Bed and Breakfast via Arend Maartenshof and the Regenten- and Lenghenhof. We end the circular walk at the statue of the De Witt brothers on the Visbrug (Fish Bridge). Nearby is the beautiful building "De Gulden Os" (The Golden Ox). This Gothic building from the early 16th century features a stepped gable. At the top rests a gilded golden ox.

Netherlands - The old houses on Hofstraat in Dordrecht

Today, the library is housed in this building. We return to our accommodation. In the afternoon, we head out again. We walk through the center to Dordrecht station. The RNET local train is already arriving. In a few minutes, we reach Dordrecht Stadspolders station. The conductor just manages to check all passengers on this short trip. From Stadspolders station, we follow the NS walk back to the center. The walk goes over the Island of Dordrecht. This strategically located piece of land was formed during the Saint Elizabeth’s flood of 1421. We reach Wantijdijk. The Wantij is the water connection between the Lower Merwede and the New Merwede. In the past, the waters on both sides collided with each other at high tide. Since the construction of the Delta Works, this is no longer the case. Along the grassy edge by the dike, we follow the water. At Wantijpark, we turn left. We follow the park’s edge. Carefully, we cross the busy Oranjelaan. On the other side lies Villa Augustus, a hotel and restaurant in the former water tower. From the water tower, we follow the quay back to the Groothoofdspoort. Along the way, at Energieplein, children raise a barrier with a stick. They say we have to pay toll, laughing. Luckily, they let us through. From the Groothoofdspoort, the route overlaps with the morning route. Via Wijnstraat, we return to the Hof van Nederland. Via Schefferplein, we reach Groenstraat. We decide to leave the rest of the route for another time. Back in our room, we pour a glass of wine. We’ve earned that. In the evening, we pick up our meal again at the same restaurant. Once again, it tastes excellent.