Netherlands > Historic Middelburg

It is Easter. At breakfast, an extra egg is specially included. Nice! Today, the breakfast is once again perfectly arranged. After breakfast, we drive to the Zeeland capital, Middelburg. We park the car at the Veerse Poort shopping center. On this Easter Sunday, the parking lot is practically empty. From the modern neighborhood, we soon enter the old town center. Via the Kinderdijk and the Maisbaai, we arrive at the Walcheren Canal. The Walcheren Canal was dug in the 19th century. It runs from Vlissingen to the Veerse Meer near Veere. It played an important role in the economic recovery of Middelburg in the 19th century. Nowadays, the canal plays only a modest role in commercial shipping. Mostly pleasure craft use this waterway. Up to this point, we followed the ANWB architecture city walk. In the historic center, we leave this walk behind and follow the description of the various buildings in the city. Sometimes it is a bit tricky because it’s not indicated how to get from one sight to the next. The first stop at Nieuwe Kerkgang is easy to find. Here stands the 90.5-meter-high tower of the former Middelburg Abbey. In 1127, the first monks settled in Middelburg and founded the abbey. After the Reformation in 1574, the abbey lost its function. The government of Zeeland moved into the building complex.

Netherlands - The inner square of the Abbey of Middelburg

We walk under the gate next to the Lange Jan (Long John) tower. We enter the Abbey Square. The monastery buildings are arranged around this square. The square radiates tranquility in the middle of the city. Several gates provide access to the square. The Gistpoort, which gives access from the Damplein, is the most beautiful entrance gate of the abbey. At the Damplein stand the stately mansions that reflect the former wealth of Middelburg. Middelburg has always had an important trading function. During the VOC era, the city was the most important city after Amsterdam. At the Damplein is also the harbor. The Kuiperspoort is a courtyard by the harbor. In this beautiful courtyard, the coopers’ guild used to be located. The picturesque houses date from the 16th century. On the other side of the courtyard, we come back to the Kinderdijk, where we were earlier today. The Spijkerbrug is an iron drawbridge from 1853.

Netherlands - The 17thcentury building of the Kloveniersdoelen Houttuinen

Behind it lies the Dokbrug, also an iron swing bridge from 1876. We wander through the center and eventually arrive at the Stadhuisplein (City Hall Square). The 15th-century city hall in late Gothic style is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Netherlands. The city hall was severely damaged during the bombing on May 17, 1940, just like much of Middelburg’s center. Fortunately, the city hall has been restored to its original state. In front of the city hall stands the art object called the ‘Fontein’ (Fountain). Contrary to what the name might suggest, it is a model of the city hall and two chairs. When someone sits down, water is supposed to spray under the chair. The water isn’t working today. For the last attraction, we walk towards the city’s fortification walls. We pass the Kloveniersdoelen. This building from 1611 probably has the most beautiful façade in the city. The building has had various functions, including serving as a hospital. Behind the Kloveniersdoelen lie the fortifications. The city’s defensive belt was completed in 1598. We follow the star-shaped rampart and arrive at the Seismolen. The Seismolen is a former grain mill. It is a round stone tower mill from 1728 and the oldest mill in Middelburg. From the fortification wall, we pick up the original walking route again. The route leads through the new Veerse Poort neighborhood. Here we return to our car. We leave Middelburg and drive in twenty minutes to the village of Zoutelande. This village is mainly known from the song of the same name by BLØF.

Netherlands - The St Catherines Church of Zoutelande

When we walk into Zoutelande, we quickly notice the center is relatively small. Most shops and horeca are located in the Langstraat, a shopping street at the foot of the North Sea dike. In one of the little restaurants, we order some food. We eat it on the street. Then we climb the ten-meter-high dike. On the left, we see the village of Zoutelande; on the right, the beach and the North Sea. Via the Catharinakerk and the Zoutelande windmill, we return to the car. We drive back to Oostkapelle via the coastal towns of Westkapelle and Domburg. In the evening, we go again to the restaurant where we have ordered food the past few days. We enjoy the meal in our room.