WSHS Hidden Treasures Groene Hart

Along the route you will find shops and farms at various places where you can purchase regional products. At Cheese Farm Van Eijk aan de Vlist you can even buy real'Old Dutch Waterline\\\' cheese!

During this bike ride you will encounter various hidden treasures:
Gouda
- Kleiwegpoort: the city council of Gouda received William III of Orange at this northern city gate in June 1672. The 5 city gates of Gouda were demolished in the nineteenth century. The remains of the gates were found during archaeological research. These contours have been made visible at the Rotterdamse Poort at the Veerstal.
- Statensluis; This large lock west of Gouda was constructed during the 80 Years' War to make transport easier. It was a crucial inlet for the water to flood the Rhineland.
- Ijsseldijk; By excavating the dike between Haastrecht and Gouda it should be easy to break it. Then the Krimpenerwaard could be quickly flooded. The Gouda officials who had to supervise this were taken hostage by farmers from Stolwijk and the Krimpenerwaard remained dry.
Oudewater.
- Fortress on the Hollandsche Ijssel; In the Middle Ages, Oudewater had a stone city wall; remains have been found in various places. The earth from the fortification walls from after 1672 and 1740 have left fewer traces, but archaeological research has partially revealed the contours of the bastion.
Hekendorp.
- Goejanverwellesluis; water from the Hollansche Ijssel was used to flood the land between the Wierickes. Various defenses were built to protect the lock. Long after the year of disaster, Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia was housed here by the patriots who had denied her entry to Holland.
Bodegraven.
- Fort Wierickerschans; an excellently preserved example of 17th century fortification. Old objects are occasionally found during work on the site. The fort was built to protect against the French attack across the frozen Waterline in December 1967. The fort had to prevent a recurrence. Archaeological research has shown that there was a Roman border road here. A Roman helmet was even found in the nearby well of Broekhoven. The Roman lines and the Dutch Waterline are an extension of each other here.
Reeuwijk.
- Prinsendijk on the Single Wiericke; broke through in January 1673. The polders between the Waterline and the Gouwe therefore had to deal with flooding for months. Part of this area was changed into the Reeuwijkse Plassen due to later peat painting.

TIPS;
- Cheese farm
- Cherry orchard
- Kaagjesland
- The sweet raid

Most of the hidden treasures can be found in outside and do not have any closing times. Mils, museums and Fort Wierickerschans are unfortunately not always open for visiting. Please check their opening times before you go for a visit.

Along this route, in multiple cities you can find places where it is possible to buy local products. At the cheese farm Van Eijk just along the Vlist you can even buy a real"Hollandsche Waterlinie\\\" - cheese.

During this cycling tour you can see the following hidden treasures:
Gouda.
- Kleiwegpoort: at this northern gate of the city did Gouda had the pleasure to welcome Willem van Oranje in June 1672. The 5 gates of Gouda were broken down in the nineteenth century.
- Statensluis: this big sluice was created during the Eighty Years'War to ease up the transports. This was a crucial lock for letting the water in to set the Rijnland under water.
- Ijsseldijk: by breaking down this dyke it had to be easier to break the dykes through. In this scenario, the Krimpenerwaard could be quicker to be covered with water. The officers from Gouda that had to take care of breaking down the dyke were kidnapped by farmers from Stolwijk and the Krimpenerwaard remained dry.
Oudewater.
- Fort at the Hollandsche Ijssel: In Medieval times Oudewater had a stone city wall; the remnants were found in different places. The earth of the fort has left fewer remnants but during archaeological research the contours of the bastion were partly discovered.
Hekendorp.
- Goejanverwellesluis: the water of the Hollandsche Ijssel was used to put the Wierickes under water. To protect the secret, certain defenses were built. A while later Wilhemina of Prussia was accommodated here by the patriots who denied her access to Holland.
Bodegraven.
- Fort Wierickerschans: a perfect example of a fort from the 17th century. When the land is investigated sometimes old objects from that time are being found. The fort was built next to the French line across the frozen Waterlinie in 1967. Archeologic investigation proved that a Romain branch line was here. In Broekhoven, a village nearby this ford, was even found a Romain helmet. At this point are the Romain lines and the Hollandsche Waterlinie in line with each other.
Reeuwijk.
- Prinsendijk at the Single Wiericke: this dyke broke in January 1673. Therefore, the polders between the Waterlinie and the Gouwe had to do for months with flooding\\\'s. A part of this aera has later turned into the Reeuwijkse Plassen.

Tips:
- Cheese farm.
-Cherry Orchard.
- Kaagjesland.
- The sweet raid.