Zwolle
Dynamic Hansa Town
Zwolle is a Hanseatic city and a university town. This is evident: the historic and hip city on the IJssel is bursting with vibrancy. Walk through the bustling centre and discover inspiring boutiques, great shops, fascinating museums, the best restaurants and much more.
Museum de Fundatie
Museum de Fundatie is located in the former courthouse, which has since been enhanced with an ultra-modern elliptically shaped superstructure nicknamed ‘the Cloud’. De Fundatie can be counted among the country’s finest museums. Turner, Canova, Van Gogh, Degas, Mondriaan, Marc, Archipenko, Picabia, Pechstein, Chagall, Marini and Picasso; this collection is certainly not lacking big names. The permanent collection undoubtedly encompasses a number of masterpieces of the last four centuries of art. De Fundatie further adds to the riches by means of an attractive temporary exhibitions programme. The exhibitions are displayed both inside the equally attractive museum itself and in the gorgeous nearby Kasteel Het Nijenhuis, situated amidst a beautiful sculpture garden.
To See
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Waanders In de Broeren
Waanders In de Broeren is praised and admired by many. Often named the most beautiful bookshop in the country, it is situated inside the Broerenkerk, a monumental church building with a wealth of history and bags of period features. The shop’s contemporary decor has been made to blend in beautifully with the traditional stylistic elements of this old monastic church. Waanders aims to continuously keep surprising its visitors. This is not just a bookshop, it’s an experience!
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Sassenpoort (City Gate) and the cannons
This mediaeval gate building from 1407 is a reminder of the Hanseatic golden age and the city rights in 1230. Machicolation with floor openings in the tower and cast iron cannons are symbols of the heavy fighting that took place.
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Grote Kerk or St. Michaëlskerk
This Romanesque church, built around 1040, was expanded between 1370 and 1452 to become the current Gothic triple-naved hall church with entrance portal. On the tip of the spire of this northern portal is a figure of the Archange Michael, the patron saint of the city and patron of its only parish church in the Middle Ages. In front of the church is a dramatic glass sculpture of the Archangel Michael, created by Herman Lamers. The Grote Kerk has a splendid pulpit, gravestones, a 17th century clock, and the famous “Schnitgerorgel”(Schnitger organ) with 4000 pipes.
Hansa walking tour of the city
Walk through Zwolle’s impressive, authentic city centre with a Hanseatic merchant as your guide. The tour sets off from the Sassenpoort and includes a visit to the Zwolse Balletjeshuis. Engrossing stories are part of the deal – on how the Hanseatic League came about, on cog ships and the mediaeval mercantile spirit. How did the goods actually make it to the town centre and how were they transported back in the day?
