Gouda in the Netherlands

gouda

Gouda is a name probably more known for its cheese than for the name of the Dutch historic city 27 km north east of Rotterdam.

Although the city center is small in size. It is well worth a visit as there is so much to see and do.

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Attractions

When you stroll through the city center you are surrounded by many beautiful restored buildings.

The facades of the houses and shops are narrow and high. Roofs are steep sloping because in the 1600-1700’s they were thatched.

A steep roof drains rain water quickly and is less prone to leaks. It really pays to look up and admire the top of the buildings, where you will see the stepped gables and beautifully decorated clock gables.

The stepped gables, as the name suggests, are square, looking like steps, whereas the clock gables have been shaped in the shape of church bells. Often the gables display the date the house was built.

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The Gouda Town Hall

With most of the houses in the city center tightly packed together the Town Hall, which stands proudly in the center of the Market Square, is a real statement.

At the back of the building it has a 9 step high gable. The small windows at the back and the side are decorated with red and white painted shutters which contrast nicely with the lime stone building.

If you think the back of the building is impressive wait until you see the front. It is a stunning gothic style building.

It is not surprising that the Town Hall is a popular venue for weddings. The square around the Town Hall is spacious and is utilized for markets and other events.

cheese_market

Summer Cheese & Craft Market

In summer on Thursday mornings there is a cheese market, an event that mainly takes place for the benefit of tourists.

The cheese market is starting up the first Thursday in April and goes on until the last Thursday in August.
Check more dates and opening hours
Link: Gouda Tourist Website – for updated information and opening hours

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Cheese Museum and “de Waag”

Behind the Town Hall you will find “de Waag”. Originally it was a place where products which were sold in the market, including cheese, were weighed.

The weighing promoted fair trading and the fees paid for the obligatory weighing would go to the treasury of the city.

Since 1995 “de Waag” has been converted into a cheese museum. Here you find out that Gouda cheese has actually never been made in Gouda itself.

Farmers around Gouda would produce the cheese and come to the market in Gouda with a horse and cart to sell their wares.

The Gouda Museum

The cheese museum is not the only museum in the city. There is also the Gouda museum where you find art and artifacts connected to the history of the city.

The economy here did not only depended on cheese but was also famous for the production of beer, pottery, clay pipes, candles and “stroopwafels” (a Dutch delicacy).

There is also a big collection of religious art within the museum, with the highlight being the life sized design and drawings of the stain glass windows of St Jan’s church which is situated just behind the museum.

Typical Dutch food

Here are some examples you might want to try:

“Stroopwafels” – a typical Dutch treat which might at first glance not look very special but after tasting them you will surely want more.

A stroopwafel consists out of 2 thin waffles glued together by a thin film of syrup.

If you are lucky enough to be in the city on one of the special market days there is often a stall where they are freshly baked to order.

A cast iron waffle press gives them their typical shape.

“Dutch apple pie” – a deep filled apple pie with cinnamon and raisins in a sweet pastry. This always goes well with one of the specialty coffees available in the cafes.

“Erwtensoep” – a thick winter pea soup with smoked sausage for cold days.

Shopping

To shop in this city is good fun. Along the tiny streets and alleys you find many small individual shops.

A toy shop called “de Speeldoos” sells lots of old fashioned, colourful wooden toys, and if you have small children, or grand children, you are sure to find a really special gift for them here.

Then there are candle shops, sometimes with their own candle production units. Typical Dutch food such as cheese, salt herring and certain sweet treats can be bought in the delicatessens shops in the center of town or eaten in one of the many cafes, pubs or restaurants.