Cultuurdorp Oudewater

Oudewater, city of the yellow bellies. When you cycle into the center of Oudewater, you imagine yourself in the early Golden Age. The time when the city center was completely rebuilt. Because Oudewater was completely destroyed by the Spanish armies in 1575. At the Free State Assembly in Dordrecht (1572), the city had explicitly opted for Stadtholder William of Orange, and it was not appreciated ... Fortunately, thanks to the rich rope industry, the line turners were able to rebuild the destroyed city in a few decades. The facades still reflect the richness of the line turners. Incidentally, the Oudewaternaren owe their nickname to the rope industry. When the ropes were being struck, the rope was wrapped around the waist, leaving a yellow mark on the abdomen. That is why the Oudewaternaren are called "yellow bellies" to this day.