Guided and excited about
Middelburg - the Netherlands
A full day or half-day stroll around the Zeeland town of Middelburg is definitely worthwhile. Many sites testify to the rich past of this town on the island of Walcheren, once even more important than Amsterdam. The facades along the quays all exude the grandeur of the golden age for Middelburg. As the base of the West India Company and seat of its own Middelburgsche Commercie Compagnie, trade and exploring new territories are central to the city's aura. The full-day programme includes a visit to the Zeeuws Museum, lunch and a 3-hour walk through the city and along the harbour with coffee break. Below you will discover some highlights in advance.
The Norbertine Abbey
Founded in the 12th century and for many centuries the centre of life on Walcheren, not only religious but also political. The abbey still dominates the image of the town if only because of the ‘Lange Jan’, the abbey tower on top of which the Habsburg Maximilian II emperor's crown is displayed. The abbey currently houses the Zeeuws Museum.
Shooting associations leave their mark
Several militia associations or as in Dutch ‘doelen’ testify to their existence through the beautiful buildings they erected in the city. But every city house speaks history. So that you walk along ‘the Golden Gate’ (de Gouden Poorte), the Zeeland Archives (Zeeuws archief) and the Van De Perre house.
Sijsmolen (mill) and Jewish cemetery
In the shadow of the Sijsmolen (mill) is the Jewish Ashkenazi cemetery. Both are located on one of the many defensive strongholds.
Vismarkt, Houtkaai, Korendijk and Kinderdijk
All names of former market places, quays or dikes.
You walk across the former Fish Market and then along the inner harbour. The very well-maintained facades are a reminder of a rich trading period from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
The Kuijpersgate
The Kuiperspoort is a quaint mix of alleyways, with old warehouses, beautifully restored houses, stepped gables, hidden corners and peepholes. This used to be home to the Coopers' Guild. The houses mainly date from the second half of the 16th century. In the first half of the seventeenth century, the courtyard was bought by the Coopers' Guild.
Dam, Damplein en Gistpoort
The Gistpoort (yeast gate) was the prestige gateway to the abbey, facing Dam Square and Dam where trading activities fully took place. The gatehouse itself only acquired its current appearance much later.
Lange Delft en Markt
The walk takes you along the shopping pedestrian street (Lange Delft) to the Central Market Place where the Butchers house and Town Hall surprise you in typical Flemish late-Gothic architectural style.
The backside of the building houses University College Roosevelt. In the courtyard Theodore and his wife Eleanor, who is founder of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stand guard.