Sightseeing in Dordrecht - what to see. Complete travel guide

Due to its unique architectural style Dordrecht has managed to keep its unforgettable atmosphere of the Medieval. All buildings in the town are created in the same style and as many of them have been built centuries ago, modern houses are made with influence of that style and so they look old too. This is a large port city that is conveniently located between a web of canals and rivers. Many of the canals are manmade and have been created in order to drain surrounding lands.

Some people call Dordrecht «a miniature Venice». There are no high buildings here at all. Instead of them you will find narrow streets coming along canals, elegant bridges and passages. River boat rides remain the most popular entertainment of tourists. You can find moored yachts simply everywhere in Dordrecht. For local people they are a usual and an ordinary transport. For some people yachts even act like homes. In order to examine the city better and get acquainted with main sights of this place, you can rent a bicycle. This is very popular type of transport among the inhabitants of Dordrecht. There are many roads for pedestrians and bicycle drivers, so you can start your adventure safely and don’t be afraid of heavy automobile traffic.

The city features wide choice of interesting monuments and sights, but the most attractive of them are surely old buildings. Many of them have been turned into cafes and restaurants, the others are abandoned, but they are still very important from the point of view of the historical heritage. The suburbs of the city also have something to look at. Kinderdijk town seems to be the most interesting one as there you will find ancient windmills that still keep the original decoration. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Among the main historical symbols of the city is the church Grotekerkplein, located on the square with the same name. The very first church in its place was built in the 13th century. In 1339, it was decided to rebuild it. The construction of a new large church took more than a hundred years. The beautiful church Grotekerkplein is now the largest in the city. Its height is 65 meters. The majestic tower of the church can be seen from various regions. Within the walls of the church, there were many unique elements of design, including seats in the choir, which were installed in the first half of the 16th century.

Another amazing ancient monument is the Augustijnenkerk Church. It was built in the 13th century and was originally part of the Augustinian monastery. Within the walls of this church, there are also many unique historical artifacts, including medieval fonts. In the spacious premises of the church, interesting cultural events are often conducted.

The beautiful Nieuwkerk Church is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in 1175. The first major reconstruction of the church took place in the beginning of the 15th century and in 1567, the building was badly damaged by fire. The new church built in its place was half as old. Many elements from the first building remained unchanged. In the second half of the 20th century, the building of the church was converted into a storage room, and then a shop was opened in it, in which kitchen furniture was sold. This shop works till now and absolutely everyone can drop by it. Part of the store is occupied by beautiful information stands, which briefly describes the history of the oldest church in the city.

In the middle of the 14th century, Dordrecht became the center of coinage. The building of the ancient mint remains a significant city attraction even now. This building was built in 1555. It is distinguished by its impressive scale. Now a part of the beautiful historical buildings is occupied by the children's music school. One of the most favorite places for walks among the guests of Dordrecht is the embankment. Next to it you can see the preserved elements of the ancient fortifications, including the gate Groothoofdspoort. The gates decorated with bas-reliefs, are incredibly beautiful. Today they are part of one of the prestigious hotels.