Zwolle

The Dutch city of Zwolle is home to some 120.000 people and it serves as the province capital of Overijssel. It is known as a "green city" for its many parks and the municipality's efforts to maintain them through sustainable activities. Zwolle is surrounded by different rivers and lies at a meeting point of different ecological zones. For visitors, it's well-kept town centre is one of the main attractions, with an abundance of historic buildings and a pleasant city atmosphere.

Understand

The area where Zwolle lies has been inhabited since the Neolithic times, for which proof was found in the form of archeological artifacts and a (Bronze time) timber circle which is colloquially called Zwolle's Woodhenge. In Roman times, Salian Franks lived here. The city as we know is first documented in the 11th century, but it was the 13th century city- and market rights that made the Zwolle grow. It became a member of the Hanseatic League and grew into a flourishing trade centre. There was strong competition with neighbouring Kampen .

See

Most of the city's 14th century defensive walls are gone, but a few parts remain. Especially in combination with the few surviving city gates, some towers and the canals, it's not too hard to get an impression of the extend of the fortified city from late Medieval times to the 17th century Dutch Golden Age. This area, the historic city centre inside the canal ring, is the most charming part of town and holds a range of other old buildings.

• ⊙Sassenpoort, Sassenstraat 51. Building of this city gate started in the late 14th century. Today, it's one of the city's main landmarks. It's built largely with natural stones and today it's owned and maintained by the national government. It's classified as a monument of extraordinary cultural-historical importance. The building is open to visitors.  
• ⊙City wall ruins. Only small pieces of the former city walls can be seen today. The best place to see them is at the end of the Diezerstraat. Once, the Diezer tower stood here too. 
• ⊙Basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Hemelopneming and Peperbus tower, Ossenmarkt. This church was built in stages, with the first parts completed in the late 14th century. The final stage was the tower, which was constructed between 1454 en 1463 and is commonly known as the Peperbus, a nickname it gained from it's resemblance to a pepper pot. The church was granted the title of basilica upon its 600 year anniversary in 1999. The 75m high tower is one of the main landmarks of the city and it's possible to climb the first part of the tower (236 stairs), to a height of 51 meters, which allows for great views over town. Entrance to the basilica is free, climbing the tower costs €2.50 for adults and €1 for kids, including an information leaflet.  
• ⊙Grote Kerk (Sint-Michaëlskerk), Grote Markt 18. This large church right on the central market was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to the archangel Michael. Already weakened by repeated lightning strikes, the tall church tower (the highest tower in the country at the time) collapsed in a 1682 storm. The church has Sunday services and is not open for visitors during the week.  

Other

• ⊙City Museum Zwolle, Melkmarkt 41, ☎ +31 384 214650. The city museum houses in a 16th century building, expanded in the 1990s. It is home to a collection of historic and cultural artefacts, as well as a range of both historic and contemporary art works. Of course, the focus of the collection lies on the city and its direct surroundings. €7.50.  
• ⊙Museum De Fundatie, Blijmarkt 20, ☎ +31 572 388188. Tu Su, 11.00 - 17.00. This arts museum is housed in the "Paleis aan de Blijmarkt", built in the first half of the 19th century as the regional Justice Palace. The neo-classicistic building was extensively renovated in 2012, with a new, large elliptical structure added on the roof (nicknamed the UFO by locals). The museum's collection consists of a good range of contemporary and modern art, mostly paintings. The collection is divided over two locations: this one, in the centre of Zwolle, and Nijenhuis castle near Heino. €9 for adults, €6 for students.  

Sleep

Inside the range of 4 km:

• ⊙   B&B in de Steenstraat, Zwolle, PC VI

  "... Yes, we have space for bicycles."

• ⊙   Hotel Oldenburg, Zwolle, PC VII - VIII

  "..., we have a garage at the back of our hotel."

• ⊙   Hotel Fidder, Zwolle, PC VII

  "... You can store your bikes in our garden for the night."

• ⊙   Hotel Lumen, Zwolle, PC VIII - X

  "... We have a secure storage room where you can leave the bikes."

Useful

Inside the range of 4 km:

• ⊙   VVV Zwolle, Zwolle