On the trail of the history of Maassluis

Church on Schanseiland.
Maassluis played a strategic role in the Eighty Years' War. When the Sea Beggars had taken Den Briel (1572), the Spaniards became very interested in Maassluis on the other side of the Maas (the island of Rozenburg did not yet exist). From here they could launch the counter-attack on Den Briel and control shipping on the Maas. A confidant of William of Orange saw the danger and had a three-pointed redoubt surrounded by water built to defend Maassluis. He had little success, because the redoubt soon fell into enemy hands. When the Spaniards were finally driven out, the redoubt was dismantled (1624). The wide moat remained. The monumental Groote Kerk was built on Schanseiland, one of the many churches in the very God-fearing Maassluis. The structure still towers over the old city.

Directions.
The start is Nieuwstraat 2, where Experience Maassluis Info is located.

Politician Abraham Kuyper was born at Dr Kuyperkade 11.

The Reformed Church was the state church for centuries. 

Other religions were tolerated. Catholics were allowed to build shelters or barn churches outside the city centre. Provided that it could not be seen from the outside that it was a church. There was also no direct access from the public road. At Schuurhof 142 there is an inconspicuous barn church from 1788. The bell tower was not installed until much later.
The church is used as a dance school and theater.

Catholics had to profess their faith through the back door, while Reformed worshiped in the beautiful Groote Kerk.
In 1626 this was one of the first new Protestant church buildings in the Netherlands.
The construction was funded by a levy on herring fishing.
The interior of the Groote Kerk contains all kinds of objects that refer to fishing, such as ship models and commemorative plates of the fishermen's guild, among others. The Garrels organ is famous for its beautiful sound. Maarten't- Hart has played on this several times.

The flood pole with a work of art by Friedie Kloen on top was placed in 2003 to commemorate the flood disaster of 1953.

The herring warehouses, sailmakers and shipowners' offices were located at the harbour. Most monumental buildings have been restored, such as Haven 31. A plaque on the building at number 23 shows how high the water came during the flood of 1953.

The stone staircase on the side of the building leads to the Stadshuiskade. Where the most beautiful cityscape of Maassluis can be admired. 

Here lies the steam tug Furie.

Continue walking along the monumental rear facades of the Raadhuis, Delflandhuis and Coppelstockhuis, then along the front facades on the Hoogstraat. 

The old town hall now serves as the National Museum for the Sleeping Vaast.

At Zuiddijk 11 is the house of the guild of the sack carriers. As soon as a ship entered the harbor, the bell on the facade was rung as a sign that there was work to be done. The sack carriers carried the cargo to the warehouses.

We end up at the Nieuwstraat 2 again, where you can possibly buy a nice souvenir.
Of course you can also go somewhere to eat or drink something.