Tourist attractions Gouda

Situated on the edge of the Museumpark, this museum of fine arts occupies a building dating from 1935, added to with a concrete and glass extension in 2003. The collection has grown considerably since 1958, thanks mainly to the van Beuningen legacy (..

Among the canalside meadows and reeds stand 19 windmills over a 2km stretch, made famous by their number, size and the beauty of the marshy plain. Bearing witness to the never-ending battle against the rising water, they have since 1997 been on Unesc..

This cable-suspension bridge, conspicuous for its red pylons, is the work of C. Veerling. Opened in 1981, its four carriageways are an important link between the two shores of the New Maas/Meuse.

This bridge links the town centre with Kop van Zuid , an area of 125 hectares which used to be part of the port, where today apartments, offices and leisure facilities are going to be built. Opened in 1996, Erasmus bridge was built by B. van Berkel...

Frequent boat trips offer an opportunity to get an idea of the huge extent of Rotterdam’s port activity. Extending 40km from the city centre to the North Sea, it can deal with vessels up to 360m in length and 35m in width; every day 200 trucks laden ..

This museum contains paintings (Jan Toorop, the Golden Age, the Barbizon and La Haye schools) and objects (intruments of torture, toys) illustrating the history of the city and its hospice. The bas-relief on the entry gate ( Lazaruspoortje , 1609) re..

This south-facing Gothic structure from the 15 C, restored in the 19 and 20 C, has a heavily decorated sandstone facade flanked by turrets and topped by a gable with a balcony. The steps in front of it (1603) are in the style of the Renaissance. The ..

The magnificent stained glass windows (16-17 C) of the Church of St. John are worthy of renown. Founded in the 13 C, the church was rebuilt after fires (1361, 1438 and 1552) and enlarged each time: this is the longest church in the country (123 m)...

These lakes cover a vast area. The stretches of water are much loved by practitioners of watersports and the twisting road which runs between them shows off a countryside which is most attractive with its subdued light, its rural almost wild appearan..

This road which follows the Hollandse IJssel has picturesque views over the watery landscape with its marshy banks, and over the thatched farmhouses built below the level of the dykes.

The road is shaded by willows and runs alongside the river whose banks are covered with flourishing plants. Attractive farms line the road: they are thatched with reeds and are accompanied by conical haystacks covered with small roofs.

This archaeological park has three areas recalling life as it was for the Dutch people during the prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods. Local people in traditional costume bring the past to life. Crops and plants reflect each period with reconstru..

Built in 1325, Oude Haven is Rotterdam's oldest port. Today the area bustles with life, and it is a good place to enjoy sitting on a café terrace. The Witte Huis (White House), built in 1897-1898, is the only remnant here of the pre-war period. Wit..

This 23 storey tower was built between 1983 and 1986 by R.B. van Erk, and stands above the Stock Exchange building. It is shaped like a flattened ellipse and is easily identifiable from afar, thanks to its bottle-green glass walls.

This superb museum is captivating. Built between 1662 and1665, the facade of the Schielandshuis is harmoniously and classically proportioned, with decoration in a baroque style. Originally intended for the administrative offices controlling the Schie..

Wandering around this quarter, the visitor becomes aware of the importance of the sea in a city like Rotterdam. The water is everywhere, surrounding houses, monuments and lapping at the quaysides.

An elegant avenue planted with a double row of lime trees in the 17th Century, Boompjes is today a modern thoroughfare with numerous cafés and restaurants, apartment and office buildings. Three towers ( Boompjestorens ), designed by H. Klunder, domin..

This is the main street in a shopping district created by Van den Broek and Bakema in 1951-1953 and 1962-1966. Flower-filled beds brighten up the pedestrian passageways. Protected from rain by the awnings above the shop windows, it is pleasant to str..

The Netherlands Institute of Architecture, or NAI, is the work of Dutchman Jo Coenen, a well-known figure in international contemporary architecture. The building is made up of four sections, each one with a different and distinct role and style. An ..

Opposite the Dutch Institute of Architecture, this 1933 villa was built by architect Leen van der Vlugt for A H Sonneveld, boss of the Van Nelle works, who lived here with his family until 1955. Following restoration, it opened to the public in 2001...