the castle hosts cultural events
Woerden is a charming town that effortlessly marries rich history with modern allure. With its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lush green landscapes, Woerden offers visitors a glimpse into Dutch heritage while embracing contemporary living.
At the center of this enchanting town lies its crowning jewel, the Woerden Castle. Built in the 10th century, this imposing fortress stands as a testament to the region’s medieval past. Today, the castle hosts cultural events and exhibitions, inviting both locals and tourists to step back in time and immerse themselves in the area’s history.
Woerden’s vibrant market square bustles with life, particularly on Wednesdays when the weekly cheese market takes place. As a town with a rich dairy tradition, Woerden proudly showcases its famed cheeses, drawing cheese enthusiasts from around the world.
Beyond its historical sites, Woerden embraces modernity with its vibrant art scene, trendy boutiques, and cozy cafes. The town’s efficient public transportation makes exploring its picturesque surroundings, including serene canals and lush meadows, a breeze.
Whether you’re strolling along its charming streets or cycling through the idyllic countryside, Woerden offers a seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary charisma. It’s a destination that captures the essence of the Netherlands in every sense, making it a must-visit location for those seeking a truly authentic Dutch experience.
The Harbor of Woerden
The Harbor of Woerden is a picturesque port located in the town of Woerden.
It is situated on the banks of the Old Rhine River, and it has been an important spot for trade and commerce since medieval times. Today, the harbor is mainly used for recreational boating and tourism. It offers a safe harbor for boats and yachts, as well as services such as fueling, repairs, and maintenance. The beautiful surroundings make it an ideal destination for a leisurely day trip, where visitors can enjoy a stroll along the water, take a canal boat tour, or visit one of the many restaurants and cafes located nearby. The harbor of Woerden is a charming place that combines history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a highlight of the Dutch waterways.
molen de windhond
Windmill de Windhond is a historic and valuable feature for the city of Woerden.
De Windhond is a round stone mill that was built in Woerden in 1755. Today the mill is well maintained and is an important part of the cityscape.
The mill stands on one of the last pieces of city wall, which was originally part of a bastion, belonging to the city walls of old Woerden. The Greyhound has a flight of 25.2 meters. The mill was restored in 1984 and is still in use today as a grist mill. The flour from the mill is used at various points of sale. In addition, bread with flour from the mill is for sale at a number of bakers. The interior of the mill is largely in authentic condition. As of April 2017, the mill and miller is a member of the Artisanal Flour Millers Guild. Together with fellow millers, experiences and knowledge are shared within the AKG. The miller lives in the house at the bottom of the mill.
Woerden dates back to Roman times, when the castellum Laurium was founded on this site around 41 AD, at a natural height.
This castellum was an army site along the northern border of the Roman Empire, formed by the Rhine, now the Old Rhine. Laurium was in use until around 270. A number of Roman ships have been found in Woerden, and a replica has been used for canal cruises since 2009.
Between 719 and 722 Boniface stayed in Woerden to preach. Around the year 795 Woerde was called Wyrda. [4] [5]
Gradually in the Middle Ages, Woerden began to be strengthened from the 12th century onwards (a castle, ramparts, canals).
castle woerden
The castle is square in shape, has a drawbridge and three round and a rectangular tower.
The moat has been filled in for a long time, but the castle is now largely surrounded by water on a peninsula in the canal, next to the much later built St. Bonaventure church. The first source about the construction of the castle dates from 1415, but it shows that the construction is already well advanced. The steward Hendrik Hermansz then bought building materials and also a large number of (fruit) trees. There must also have been a castle in Woerden before, because the order for the construction refers to another “Steenen Huys”. Presumably that castle was located on the west side of Woerden, in defense of Utrecht against Holland. The current castle was built by order of the Count of Holland to defend against the bishop of Utrecht and is therefore located on the east side of the city. During the Siege of Woerden (1575/1576) the castle housed a garrison that defended the city against the Spanish. The castle has had many destinations. In addition to being a defensive structure, (military) prison (until 1872), hospital and reception camp for Ambonese, the castle was used for a long time as a central clothing warehouse of the Ministry of Defense.
Woerden boasts a mix of modern and traditional shops, making it a shopper’s paradise. The town’s bustling town center is home to a range of boutique shops, specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
One of the town’s main attractions is the Wednesday market, which is held in the heart of Woerden and offers a range of fresh produce, flowers, and other local goods. Besides the market, Woerden has several shopping streets like the Voorstraat and the Rijnstraat. The Voorstraat has many boutiques and cafes, while Rijnstraat is known for its trendy clothing stores and unique gift shops.
Shopping in Woerden is not only fun but also rewarding, especially for those looking for one-of-a-kind items or locally made products. The town also offers a range of food stores, including bakeries and delis, making it easy to pick up some treats while shopping.
Main detail of the World War II Memorial Jewish victims “Familieportret” (Family portrait) by Ingrid Mol in 2003. Placed at the Prins Benhardlaan/Wilhelminaweg in Woerden.
Around 1160, Godfried van Rhenen, bishop of Utrecht, had a fortification built at the settlement of Worden (sometimes also called Worthene) on the Oude Rijn. This was to be able to offer the expansionist drive of the Count of Holland a setback. The bishop appointed a châtelain or administrator of the castle, who appointed himself lord of Woerden from 1165. The lord was less accountable to the bishop, which gave him many freedoms and gained power, although it remained a fiefdom of the diocese. In 1296, the Lords of Woerden were removed from office because of a conspiracy against Floris V. On a coat of arms from the collegiate church of St. Marie in Utrecht and the coat of arms of Guelders, the coat of arms is depicted as three diamonds of throat in gold, for Herman van Woerden. In 1372 Woerden obtained city rights.
Holy Bonaventurakerk
The Heilige-Bonaventurakerk is a Catholic church in the Dutch town of Woerden that is dedicated to Saint Bonaventure.
The religious community in the church is part of the Parish Pax Christi, which falls under the Diocese of Rotterdam. The church is located next to the Castle of Woerden and is classified as a national monument. The interior of the church is richly decorated with colored tiled floor, a marble high altar, side altars, Maria chapel with a wrought iron fence by W. Pompe from Yselstein from 1894, marble baptismal font, statues of saints, bundle pillars with natural stone capitals, cross rib vaults and stained glass windows including three from 1919 by F. Nicolas. In the church there is an organ, built by Jos Vermeulen, which was put into use in 1921.
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