Dumb? Well, what is dumb, if you have come to live in such a beautiful city as Kampen, beautifully located on, what is often called, one of the most beautiful river fronts of the Netherlands. Almost 500 monuments testify of a glorious past of the Hanseatic city where watersports and culture play a prominent role. Let us get more closely acquainted with this “IJssel-strong” city.

The name Kampen is mentioned for the first time in the year 1227. Thanks to a substantial economic growth in the 12th and 13th century the original settlement soon took on a more urban character. The favourable location on the river IJssel played an important part in this and it made the city into a centre of cargo trade. Between 1200 and 1500 Kampen also developed into one of the most powerful hanseatic cities. Kamper skippers sailed for instance on the Baltic sea, the German northern coast, England, France and Holland. The development of the “kogge” a new kind of ship that was much more seaworthy than the former models, made all this possible.

The proud history of the city has been saved in around 500 monuments but also in the beautiful collection of the Stedelijk Museum, housed in a gothic building. In the Kamper Tobacco Museum you will see the longest cigar in the world and the smallest house in Kampen is furnished the way it must have looked in the days of our grandparents. The former synagogue is also reorganized as (municipal) exposition space. In the house of Orange objects relating to the royal household are on display.

Also scene-setting is the New Tower that lets sounds ring over the city with its 47 clocks. During the summer months a cow is hung from this tower, one of the main characters from a Kamper Onion. The Schepenzaal in the monumental town hall is hung with unique portraits of the house of Orange.

During the Golden Age of the city around 1400 the city centre was considerably enlarged. In the new city wall there were no less than 20 city gates of which nowadays only three remain.
Anyone who says the Netherlands, says windmills. On the city ramparts of the former fortress there was and is d’Olde Zwarver, the only windmill left in Kampen. In the back of the house of the Stedelijk Museum on the Oudestraat you can also find a horse mill and a pearling mill. During demonstrations buckwheat is milled in the traditional way.

When wandering through the characteristic alleys and streets, please take a look at the special wall advertisements, dating back to around 1930. The influence of Jugendstil and the Stijl are unmistakably present in these advertisements. The wall advertisements have recently been reinstated. At the VVV (tourist information office) a special walking tour along these “frescos of the trades people” has been organized.
After visiting the historic city centre with its monumental buildings, characteristic little streets, musea, shops and galleries, we advise you to seek out the magnificent countryside.
Various cycling tours lead you along the waterfront with its beautiful flora and fauna.

www.vvvkampen.nl