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Dordrecht
Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland and has got more than a thousand monuments! A visit to Dordrecht is a journey back in time.Dordrecht received franchise rights in 1220 as the first city in Holland and owns a rich history. The city played an important role in the history of the Netherlands in politics, trade and religion. When you visit the city you will still see a lot .. from that period.
One of the best sights is the Groothoofdspoort, which is the 15th century city gate located at the three rivers point, where the rivers Meuse, Rhine and Merwede come together. You can find some nice cafes and terraces here, where you can enjoy the view at the rivers.
From the Groothoofdpoort you can stroll along the mediaevel streets and walk through the streets which were never meant for cars. You will see old merchants' houses, warehouses, small harbours and canals on your walk through the Wijnstraat. If you want to see how people lived in these houses one century ago you can visit the Simon van Gijn museum. This museum shows a house with its interior and all belongings in the exact same state as 100 years ago. It's like time stood still when you walk though the house!
Close to the Wijnstraat, in the middle of city center, you wil find the historic Hof (which means court in English) where important history was written. In 1572 during the Spanish rule all twelve cities of Holland, with the exception of Amsterdam, took part in a secret meeting. During the meeting they decided to turn against the Spanish oppressors and this meeting is considered to be the beginning of the independent state of the Netherlands. The Hof is still in very good shape and is used nowadays as a wedding location and theatre for classic concerts.
At the end of the longest shopping street in the Netherlands called the Voorstraat, you will find the impressive Great Church of Dordrecht with its 65 meters high tower. You can visit the church and see the huge carillon which is one of the biggest carillons in Europe with its 65 bells! Or you could climb to the tower and enjoy an amazing view at the top!
In and around the Voorstraat you will find many antique and speciality shops but also the big chains and a V&D department store. On Fridays and Saturdays there's a big market in the city center. This market is one of the best markets in the Netherlands!
OPENING HOURS Dordrecht
These are the opening times for the shops in Dordrecht:
Monday 13:00 - 17:30 hrs Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30 hrs Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30 hrs Thursday 09:00 - 21:00 hrs Friday 09:00 - 17:30 hrs Saturday 09:00 - 17:30 hrs Sunday Closed Every last Sunday of the month the shops are open from 12:00 - 17:00 hrs. Every first Sunday of the month between 12:00 and 17:00 hrs there's a special activity called Kunstrondje Dordt, which is a walk along galeries, museums and antique shops.
DIRECTIONS Dordrecht
Dordrecht is located 20 km south of Rotterdam. There are direct trains leaving from Rotterdam Central station, Rotterdam Blaak, Rotterdam Zuid and Rotterdam IJsselmonde to Dordrecht. It's only a 15 minutes ride from Rotterdam Central Station to Dordrecht Central Station.
A fast and nice journey is the fast ferry from Rotterdam to Dordrecht. The fast ferry leaves next to Erasmus bridge and takes you in half an hour to the historical center of Dordrecht. You can even take your bike on the fast ferry!
If you come by car you have to take highway A16 to Dordrecht and follow Dordrecht Centrum. There are many parkings in city center, but you will have to pay!
MORE INFORMATION Dordrecht
More information can be found on the tourist internet site of Dordrecht or by contacting them directly.
VVV Zuid-Holland Zuid
Spuiboulevard 99, 3311 GN Dordrecht
Tel: 0900-4636888
Fax: +31 78 6131783
Website: www.vvvdordrecht.nl
E-mail: nfo@vvvzhz.nlREVIEWS Dordrecht
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