Explore Woudrichem via the ferry

Three rivers, two historic fortified towns and the Land van Heusden and Altena: this route has a lot of nature and culture to offer! You drive through Woudrichem and Gorinchem, but also past Slot Loevestein, Slot te Rijswijk and Fort Vuren. A relatively short route, but one that guarantees a nice day out thanks to the many sights.

The first cultural-historical point on your route is Slot te Rijswijk, a moated mansion from 1756 that was built on the foundations of an old castle. The mansion is surrounded by a park in English landscape style. Slot Loevestein is one of the most famous and most beautiful castles in the Netherlands. The castle dates from 1361 and was within the sphere of influence of the County of Holland and the Hertogdoms of Brabant and Guelders. In the museum you will learn more about the long and turbulent history of Loevestein. Especially the escape of Hugo de Groot by book box will appeal to the imagination of young and old.

On the other side of the Waal you will pass Fort Vuren, which was part of the New Dutch Waterline. The fort from 1844 had to protect Gorinchem against attacks from the east. At the beginning and end of the Second World War, there was a lot of fighting in this region, which included flooding the area.

Finally, two historic fortified towns await you: Gorinchem and Woudrichem. In the historic center of Gorinchem, which is also written as Gorkum, the street pattern from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries is still visible. You will see many monumental buildings here, the sixteenth-century ramparts have also been preserved. De Hoop, a flour mill from 1764, stands on this city wall.

Woudrichem originated in the ninth century. Due to its strategic location on the borders of Holland, Guelders and Brabant, the town was regularly besieged. In 1814, Woudrichem was included in the New Dutch Waterline, so that the medieval fortress was finally abolished in 1955. The historic center is a protected cityscape. You will see old Dutch fortifications, sixteenth-century houses and the Gevangenpoort from around 1580.