Zierikzee: Medieval Harbour Town on the Island of Schouwen-Duiveland
The Dikke Toren was meant to rival Antwerp and Mechelen, but it was never finished. This massive church tower still dominates Zierikzee, a town of about 10,483 residents on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland in Zeeland. Harbour canals, city gates, and a complete medieval cityscape make it one of the best-preserved historic towns in the Netherlands.
The Maritiem Museum Zeeland documents the seafaring and fishing past. Zierikzee prospered from trade in madder root, used as a red dye, and from herring and cod fishing. The Oude Haven and Nieuwe Haven canals give the centre its atmospheric maritime character.
The Zeelandbrug, the longest bridge in the Netherlands, connects the island to Noord-Beveland. The Grevelingenmeer and the Oosterschelde provide watersports on both sides. Zierikzee functions as the administrative centre of the gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland.
Middelburg is about 30 kilometres southwest. Rotterdam lies roughly 50 kilometres northeast.
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The Dikke Toren was meant to rival Antwerp and Mechelen, but it was never finished. This massive church tower still dominates Zierikzee, a town of about 10,483 residents on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland in Zeeland. Harbour canals, city gates, and a complete medieval cityscape make it one of the best-preserved historic towns in the Netherlands.
The Maritiem Museum Zeeland documents the seafaring and fishing past. Zierikzee prospered from trade in madder root, used as a red dye, and from herring and cod fishing. The Oude Haven and Nieuwe Haven canals give the centre its atmospheric maritime character.
The Zeelandbrug, the longest bridge in the Netherlands, connects the island to Noord-Beveland. The Grevelingenmeer and the Oosterschelde provide watersports on both sides. Zierikzee functions as the administrative centre of the gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland.
Middelburg is about 30 kilometres southwest. Rotterdam lies roughly 50 kilometres northeast.
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