Naarden City. Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Naarden


 

The Netherlands is a beautiful country, home to some of Europe’s most beautiful cities. From the breathtaking canals and churches in Amsterdam, Volendam, and Haarlem to the modern and state-of-the-art architecture in Rotterdam and other cities, this small country never ceases to amaze both locals and visitors.

One of these beautiful towns is Naarden, a city in the province of North Holland, not very far from Amsterdam. Naarden is a beautiful town in the green Gooi region of the Netherlands.

1. It received City Rights In 1335

Naarden became a city in 1351 and is still the only city in the Gooi to this day. Due to its strategic location, it became a military fortress and a textile industry in the 16th century and part of the Dutch Waterline.

In the 17th century, it got its distinctive and beautifully preserved star-shaped design with double walls, gate buildings, and bastions. Naarden can be likened to an open history exhibition and the whole town proudly shows its military past for all to see.

Naarden was the oldest town in the Gooi region (even though it is no longer a municipality in that region) and is the newest municipality in the Gooise Meren since 2016.

 Naarden is one of the most beautiful Dutch towns and is bound to wow anyone who visits for the first time. To learn more about the turbulent history of the town, a visit to the Dutch Fortress Museum is recommended.

2. Its Architectural Design Is Star-Shaped

Interestingly, Naarden is an example of a star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. The moat and walls have undergone restoration on numerous occasions, most notably during the French era (1795-1814). After the Battle of Leipzig (1813), the Netherlands was liberated by an allied force of Dutch, Prussian, and Russian armies.

During this period, Naarden was besieged for months since the French commander didn’t believe that Napoleon was captured. In May 1814, the French soldiers left the city in a retreat with honor.     

3. John Amos Cornenius, A Moravian-born Czech Educator Was Buried Here

It is also significant17th-century, Amos Comenius, a 17th-century Moravian-born Czech educator was buried in the city, and his mausoleum is open for visitors. Comenius is known as the inventor of our school system with grades and different classes.

4. It Is Home To The Dutch Fortress Museum

Despite its earlier importance, Naarden’s population was surpassed by Hilversum in the 18th century and today it is smaller than its neighbor Bussum. It is the home of the Dutch Fortress Museum (Nederlands Vestingmuseum).

It also hosts the bi-annual Naarden Photo Festival and, on Good Friday, a performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in the local church, which is called the Great Church or St. Vitus Church.

5. It Hosts One Of The Oldest Surviving Churches In The Netherlands

Church. Photo by Allyson Beaucourt on Unsplash

The Great Church (Grote Kerk) in Marktstraat dates from the 15th century. It was named after St. Vitus before the protestant reformation and is one of the oldest surviving churches in The Netherlands after having had the good fortune to survive the Spanish invasion of 1572 and the subsequent burning of the town.

It is said to have numerous wooden vaults that are painted with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. These were hidden for many years and were only rediscovered in a recent restoration.

6. Spanish Troops Conducted A Massacre Of Some 700 Inhabitants

The Spanish House (Spaanse Huis), situated at Turfpoortstraat 27, was originally a church building converted to house migrants.

Unfortunately, in 1572 Spanish troops conducted a massacre of some 700 inhabitants who had gathered to hear a peace proposal. Instead the Spanish fired on the assembled citizens and went on to set fire to the whole town. This is evidenced by a plaque above the lintel of the door and below the eaves that commemorates the massacre.

In 1615, after the population had re-established itself, they built the city hall on the site. Part of the building was given over to De Waag (The Scales House), the municipal office entrusted with the verification of weights and measures.

The building later served a French garrison as a bakery, turning out over 1000 loaves per day. From 1967 until 1992 it served as the Comenius museum. Today, the historic building serves as the Weegschaal Museum.

7. It Merged With Muiden And Bussum To Form The New Municipality Of Gooise Meren.

The city is considered one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe. It was one of the most important defense works of the New Dutch Waterline and still is breathtaking.  It was a separate municipality until 2015. On 1 January 2016, the municipality of Naarden merged with Muiden and Bussum to form the new municipality of Gooise Meren.

8. French king Louis XIV Failed To Capture Naardin Due To The Military Strategy Used By The Dutch

In the 17th century, when the French king Louis XIV with the help of his allies England, Cologne, and Munster invaded the Netherlands and took over Naarden. At that time, the Netherlands was an important economic and political power in western Europe. They captured Utrecht and made it a base to invade the rest of the country.

However, the rest of the invasion was a disaster as the Dutch flooded the land between the rivers and the sea, making it impossible for the French to move forward. In 1673, Naarden was back in Dutch hands.

 After this recapture, the fortifications were updated to modern standards resulting in the construction of many new bomb shelters and other army-related buildings like barracks. At the end of the 19th century, the increased firepower and range of the artillery made the defenses of Naarden useless. Instead, emphasis was given to bomb shelters, most of which still exist.

9. It is the Only Fortification In Europe That Has Unique Double Walls And Moats

After the First World War, the need for Naarden as a fortress was over. The army left and it was turned into a monument and preserved just in time to prevent it from being demolished. One of the bastions holds a museum about the fortress, which gives a lot of information about the town’s history.

The museum also gives access to all the tunnels and casemates, making it a must in exploring the fortress. Tours are provided by boat around the lake. Today, Naarden is one of the remaining bastions in the Netherlands and is the only fortification in Europe that has unique double walls and moats.

10. Amersfoort Zoo has All Types Of Animals That are Seen Through Suspended Tunnels

View a wide variety of animals from around the world in a family-friendly setting at Amersfoort Zoo. Located in a wooded area, this zoo is home to all types of creatures, such as monkeys, tigers, bears, elephants, and numerous species of birds. Safely walk above select exhibits via one of the suspended tunnels, allowing you to get up close and personal with the animals.