10 Historic South Holland Towns
Rotterdam and The Hague may be the second and third largest Dutch cities, but whether you are a tourist or expat in Netherlands, these smaller historic South Holland towns are worth of a visit.
HISTORIC SOUTH HOLLAND TOWNS
BRIELLE
Brielle was granted city rights in 1306. It was later fortified with a star-shaped protective wall which still stands today. It played a critical role in the Dutch fight for independence against Spain as it was the first town captured (01 April 1572). Brielle was then used as collateral to secure a loan, ammunition and weapons from Queen Elizabeth I of England. The town was under British rule for 50 years until the loan was repaid in 1622.
Brielle retains it quaintness today and there are many historic structures to see including the St Catherijnekerk church with its 18-story bell tower (1482), traditional Dutch homes from the 1600’s along the Maarland, the Asylplein and Markt squares, and the Noord Spui and Zuid Spui marinas.
DELFT
Delft was granted city rights in 1246 and grew to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities in Holland. Willem, Prince of Orange (leader of the Dutch rebellion) resided in Delft from 1572 until he was murdered in 1584, making the city the de facto capital of the new Dutch Republic. In 1602 the Dutch East India Company opened in Delft which led to the city becoming a center of global trade.
As Delft is one of the best historic South Holland towns, a visit to its old town center is a must for every tourist and expat in Netherlands. It is filled with a plethora of monumental buildings including the Oude Kerk church (1246), Nieuwe Kerk church (1381), Oostpoort former city gate (14th-15th century), Stadhuis town hall (1620) and De Roos windmill (1679).
DORDRECHT
Dordrecht was granted city rights in 1220 making it the oldest of the historic South Holland towns. It became the wealthiest and most powerful city in Holland during the 13th and 14th centuries. The 15th century began a decline due to the devastating St Elizabeth’s Flood (1421) and a great fire (1457) that destroyed much of the city. It retained a great deal of influence even during the Dutch Golden Age of the 1600’s (see Johan de Witt).
The Dordrecht old town area has been well preserved and is easy to get around. Important landmarks include the Stadhuis city hall (1383), Grote Kerk church with its 65-meter tall bell tower (completed 1470), Kyck over den Dyck windmill (1612) and Groothoofdspoort former city gate (1618).
GORINCHEM
Gorinchem was granted city rights in 1382 but it did not become part of Holland until 1417. The Dutch rebels captured the city in July 1572 and new city walls were built to fortify it. Most of these are still standing and have been made into esplanades.
Among the sites to be seen in the Gorinchem old town are the 67-meter tall, 15th century Grote Kerk bell tower, the Dalempoort former city gate (1597), Grote Markt, De Hoop windmill (1764) and Stadhuis town hall (1860).
GOUDA
Gouda was granted city rights in 1272 (and celebrated its 750th birthday in 2022). Over its long history, it has experienced periods of prosperity as well as serious decline (including 3 significant plague epidemics in the 1600’s). The city is known for its cheese, ceramics, stroopwafels, tobacco pipes and candle production.
As one of the top historic South Holland towns, a visit to the Gouda old town center should be at the top of any expat’s list of things. By train it is less than 20 minutes from The Hague. The jewel in the crown is the Gothic-styled Stadhuis town hall (1518) that sits in the middle of Markt square. Other landmarks include the St Janskerk (1552) – longest church in Netherlands and renown for its stained-glass windows, Waag cheese-weighing house (1668), De Roode Leeuw (1727) and ‘t Slot (1832) windmills, and the Museumhaven (old ship harbor).
HELLEVOETSLUIS
Hellevoetsluis originates from a settlement already formed by the 13th century at the foot of the Helle waterway on the island of Voorne-Putten. With a highly strategic location, not only was the town surrounded with a protective wall, a fortress was also built around the harbor. It became home to the Dutch Republic navy and was the departure point for Stadtholder Willem III of Orange‘s attack on England.
There is much to be seen in the historic center of Hellevoetsluis including the Dutch Reformed Church (1661), Admirality building (1640-1660), bastions, De Hoop windmill (1802), drydock (1798-1822) and lighthouse (1822).
LEIDEN
Leiden was granted city rights in 1266 and grew to become the second largest city in Holland during the Dutch Golden Age. It is home to the Netherlands oldest university (founded 1575) and where the Pilgrims settled for a decade before setting sail for the New World. Leiden was also the birthplace of one of the world’s foremost artists… Rembrandt.
Leiden has one of the largest historic old town centers in the country. Notable landmarks include the Hooglandse Kerk church (1377), Pieterskerk church (1572), two former city gates – Morspoort (1611) and Zijlpoort (1667), Waag weighing house (1659), Hofjes almhouses (17th century), Molen De Valk windmill (1743) and the Koornbrug covered bridge (1834).
OUD-BEIJERLAND
Oud-Beijerland is located on the South Holland island of Hoeksche Waard and was settled on reclaimed polder land in the 16th century. It eventually grew to become the biggest marketplace on the island due to its location on the Maas river, a busy shipping channel at the time.
In the Oud-Beijerland historic town center are the Stadhuis town hall (1622), Dorpskerk church (1650), mansions along the Vliet (18th century) and Kantongerecht court house (1882).
SCHIEDAM
Schiedam’s origins date back nearly 800 years when a dam was built on the river Schie around 1230. A settlement sprang up and it was granted city rights in 1275. Schiedam was home to Liduina (1380-1433) who would later be canonized a saint by the Catholic Church. The city prospered from being a trans-shipment point as well as its sizeable fishing industry. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Schiedam would become the leader in jenever production with over 15 large distilleries operating.
Today the Schiedam old town center is lovely to visit with its picturesque canals and historic buildings including the Grote Kerk church (1425), Waag weighing house (1579), Stadhuis old town hall (1606), Zakkendragershuisje guild house (1725), Korenbeurs exchange (1792), St Liduina Basilica (1881) and the 5 tallest windmills in the world (1770-1803).
SCHOONHOVEN
Schoonhoven was granted city rights in 1280 and protective walls were built by 1350. The town developed into a marketplace for neighboring villages. Schoonhoven was referred to as the ‘Silver City’ when many silversmiths and goldsmiths settled in the fortified city during the 17th century. Today there is even a national silver museum located in Schoonhaven.
The Schoonhaven old town center includes monumental buildings and structures including the Bartholomew Kerk church (late 1300’s), Stadhuis town hall (1452), Veerpoort ferry gate (1601), Waag weighing house (1617), canal houses (1600-1700’s) and 50-meter tall Gothic-styled water tower (1901).
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