Tour of Leerdam and Castle Merckenburg

Your route starts at De Houtloods Leerdam, right next to the Glass Museum. Glasstad Leerdam was founded in 1143 and was then called'Ter Leeden. Leerdam obtained city rights from the Lord of Arkel in 1382 and again in 1407 from Willem IV Van Holland. In the eighteenth century the wood and glass industry took off and the town became prosperous. The rich history of Leerdam can still be seen in the old buildings, such as the Grote Kerk, the Hofje museum of Mrs van Aerden and the remaining city walls, which have been restored. Not only the glass blowers give Leerdam fame, the Leerdammer cheese has also become a well-known product. At Heukelum, for example, you pass Castle Merckenburg, which originally dates from the thirteenth century. The current building was built around 1700.