Cruising routes

Along the beautiful canals of Zwolle stretches the Eekwal, a picturesque street steeped in history and charm.

"Eekwal" has its origins in Zwolle's craft history. In earlier times, the city was known for its thriving tanneries. Eekwal owes its name to the eek mill that stood here, which ground oak bark into eek. This substance was invaluable for tanning leather, a craft that was a thriving industry in Zwolle for four centuries.

Walking along the cobblestones of Eekwal, you can imagine how traders and craftsmen used to stroll along the canals, transporting their goods and trading. The facades of the historic buildings along Eekwal each tell a story from the past, with their distinctive architecture reflecting the city's rich history.

Zwolle's rich history reveals a desire for a shipping connection to the IJssel from the Middle Ages onwards. In 1819, this aspiration was realised with the opening of the Willemsvaart, a canal that connected Zwolle to the IJssel and was crucial for economic development.

Baron Bentinck tot Buckhorst opened the canal on King William I's birthday, with a festive parade and dinners. The canal encouraged freight traffic and marked a time of modernisation in the Netherlands.

Despite later modifications and the loss of its original function in 1964, the lock complex and bridge operator houses at the Katerveer remain as historical reminders.

Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle is housed in a former Palace of Justice building and is the masterpiece of architect Eduard Louis de Coninck. It was built in 1841.

Within the historical walls of this museum, you will find an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.

After a renovation in 2013, the unique dome, designed by Hubert-Jan Henket, adorns the roof of the building. This striking addition, known as 'the Eye', 'the Cloud', or 'the Dinosaur Egg', not only offers a spectacular view over the city but also serves as a beautiful exhibition space.

Next to the Peperbus, the Sassenpoort is the symbol of Zwolle. This city gate, completed in 1409, is considered the primary remaining structure of Zwolle's medieval fortifications.

The high gate with a wide passage, designed to accommodate large carts, served as an inner gate and connected to a walled square and an outer gate. Throughout the centuries, it has also served as a prison and weapons storage facility.

Today, the Sassenpoort is listed among the top 100 Dutch UNESCO monuments and is used as a small museum.

After a restoration in the late nineteenth century, the gate was renovated, the battlements were restored, and the wooden bell tower was replaced by the current pointed tower.

The Plantagekerk, designed by city architect J.W. Bosboom Sr., was built in 1874 to commemorate the reunification of the three Christian separated communities that had arisen in Zwolle. It is also the oldest surviving Reformed church in Zwolle.

The complex is located at the site of the medieval Straatmakerstoren, which was demolished in 1838, at the point where the Aa river flowed into the city before its embankment in 1861. It borders the Ter Pelkwijkplantsoen, which was established around 1875.

The building owes its name to the mid-18th-century plantation that was once located in this area.

The war monument in Zwolle was erected in memory of all Zwolle residents who perished during World War II. The sculpture is designed by the Zwolle sculptor and painter Titus Leeser (1903-1997) and was unveiled on May 5, 1950.

It is a sculpture of a kneeling male figure, symbolizing humanity rising again after enduring much suffering. The gaze is primarily focused on the future rather than the past.

The sentiment is also expressed by the words chiseled into the wall by the Dutch writer/poet Victor van Vriesland, who was in hiding in Zwolle during the war:

"Remember the suffering, but not to stand still.
Remember the disgrace, but to move forward."

The water tower on Turfmarkt was built in 1892 to improve the poor water quality in Zwolle at that time. It was designed by architect Jan Schotel and has a height of 36 meters and had a water reservoir of 500 m3.

In 1957, a tragic accident led to a thorough renovation after it was found that the tower was in poor condition. The tower was surrounded by a new casing, but the original tower still stands inside.

Now, no longer operational since 1996, the water tower has been repurposed and is now a residential tower with 21 loft apartments. The design of the contemporary residential tower is based on the history of the water tower.

Around 1600, the city of Zwolle dug a watercourse from the Vecht to the Nieuwe Wetering. In 1855, another watercourse was dug from it, now called Almelo's canal, also known as the Overijssels canal, and originally serving as a waterway for towing boats to Almelo.

In 1988, this canal was closed outside Zwolle and is therefore no longer navigable. On the east side of the canal, you will see stately homes by the water, while on the west side, houseboats are moored, and the Wezelanden city park is located.

Theater de Spiegel, designed by Martien van Goor, is one of the two theaters that Zwolle boasts. It was opened by Queen Beatrix in 2006.

De Spiegel boasts a unique technical feature among theaters in the Netherlands: a movable ceiling! This not only benefits the acoustics but also allows for the expansion of space. With a base capacity of 850 seats, the ceiling can be raised to accommodate 1,000 people. This effectively doubles the volume of the hall, which is particularly useful for concerts. For plays, the ceiling is lowered to prevent voices from being lost in the large space.

The theater also houses the restaurant 'Kees', where delicious dishes are served! 'Kees' was formerly known as 'Koperen Kees', which was the nickname of a civil servant who measured the dimensions of all stage floors in the country. He used a copper plate to mark the center of the stage: the Koperen Kees. The established measurements were recorded in a reference book for theater companies, so they knew how much space they had for their performances. Today, the copper plate is still used as a reference point on Dutch stages.

The pedestrian bridge, the Pelserbrug, connecting the Thorbeckegracht with the city center of Zwolle, was built in 1974. The bridge is named after the furriers who carried out their work in Zwolle in the 15th century. However, it is not the first bridge that was constructed around this location.

Around 1600, the city was steadily expanding northwards. Outside the Vispoort (North Island), houses were being built on the Dike (now Thorbeckegracht). This expansion drive increased the number of houses from 60 in the year 1682 to 180 in the year 1982.

Residents frequently complained to the city council about the isolated location of their houses. As a result, in 1686, they were granted permission, at their own expense, to build a footbridge near the Pelserpoort, and so it was done.

The bridge was of the drawbridge type. The drawbridge or earhole bridge was one of the smallest movable bridges we have known in our country. The bridge consisted of two sloping parts, with the passage opening in the middle. This opening was often no more than 1 meter wide in this type of bridge and was called "the earhole." The bridge itself is a fixed bridge, but ships with a long mast can pass through it. The bridge operator opens the earhole for the ship to pass, allowing the ship's mast to navigate through the narrow slot of the earhole.

Café Het Beugeltje, located in the historic Wijndragerstoren, breathes ancient history. This defense tower from the fifteenth century, with walls over a meter thick, once housed the Guild of Wine Bearers. In this iconic building, the well-known mustard brand "de Wijndragers" was born. Today, Café Het Beugeltje honors this rich history and owes its name to the Grolsch swing-top bottle, which takes center stage here.

The Zwolle café, located along the picturesque Thorbeckegracht, offers a unique ambiance. Nestled amidst the city wall of Zwolle, east of the Vispoort, the café embraces old-fashioned coziness. The Wijndragerstoren, originally built between 1475-1500, has undergone various transformations over the years, including a recent roof replacement in 2017. From the medieval wine bearer to the contemporary Café Het Beugeltje, the tower remains a vibrant symbol of Zwolle's history.

In the heart of Zwolle, on the bustling Rodetorenplein, echoes the history of centuries past. Once surrounded by a city wall with 23 towers, of which the Zwanentoren, Pelserpoorttoren, and the Wijndragerstoren still stand proudly, the square recalls the vanished Red Tower.

In 1580, this tower provided access to the Havenplein outside the city wall. The Rodetorenplein has transformed over the years, doubling in size since 2008 by partially filling in the city moat. This has restored the city to its original shape, and it now hosts establishments such as Mediamarkt, Stadsstrand (city beach), and accommodates events like the Ice Sculpture Festival and an ice rink.

Here, where history and modernity intersect, one strolls past the Hopmanshuis from 1663, while the market on the Melkmarkt reflects the vibrant past of this lively city.

Here in the former Spider House, built in 1738 as a provincial penitentiary, culinary masterpieces, hospitality and ancient history come together.

The building has undergone several transformations over the centuries. During the 17th century, when the penal system was converted to work punishments, female prisoners had to sit behind the spinning wheel, hence the name 'The Spider House'. Male prisoners also had to work, grating hardwood, which was used for paint and ink.

After its closure in 1972, the penitentiary reopened in 1982 due to a nationwide cell shortage. The final closure was in 2004 and it was sold to the Municipality of Zwolle. In 2006, Jonnie and Thérèse Boer bought it and transformed it into Librije's Hotel and Librije's Zusje, under strict supervision of Monumentenzorg.

Opened on 25 May 2008, it is now a stunning hotel-restaurant, an extension of Zwolle's hotel accommodations, with three Michelin stars and ranked as the world's 38 best restaurant! Also awarded in 2016 as the most hospitable restaurant in Europe.

Built between 1454 and 1463, the Peperbus originally served as a tower for the Church of Our Lady and is an iconic beacon in Zwolle. After a fire in the pointed tower in 1815, the roof was replaced by a cow-shaped roof, after which the tower was nicknamed 'De Peperbus', due to its resemblance.

With its imposing height of 75 metres, this Gothic tower offers breathtaking views of the picturesque city and its surroundings. The design, attributed to the renowned master builder Berend van der Laan, can be climbed to the first circumambulation which is located at 51 metres and equals 236 steps. The second circumambulation is not open to the public and is located at 65 metres. At the top you will find a carillon with 51 bells, one of the largest carillons in the Netherlands, which regularly envelops the city with its melodies.

The tower underwent several restorations over the centuries and is now a beloved symbol of Zwolle, where visitors can enjoy both its historical splendour and panoramic views. You yourself can also find the image of the Peperbus in our logo.