The old Hanseatic town of Kampen is picturesquely situated on the left bank of the IJssel, 4km/2.5mi above its outflow into the IJsselmeer. It is the principal town and market center of the surrounding agricultural area. It has an old-established theological college and a college of agriculture. The town's main source of income is industry - foodstuffs, shipbuilding, the manufacture of agricultural machinery and building materials, woodworking and the manufacture of cigars, as well as a few smaller industries. Tourism now also makes a contribution to the economy.
Kampen was founded in the second half of the 12th century and first appears in the records in 1227. It received its municipal charter in 1240, and became the most important commercial town in the eastern Netherlands, trading with the Baltic area, France and England. When the town acquired the fertile delta area at the mouth of the IJssel in 1363 it became so wealthy that right into the 20th century the inhabitants paid no local taxes. Its admission to the Hanseatic League in 1441 and its elevation to the status of free imperial city in 1495 gave a further boost to its economy, which suffered a setback in the 16th century when it came under Spanish rule (1578). Only the towns of Kampen, Zwolle and Deventer were represented in the provincial States.
From the Nieuwe Toren Broederstraat runs west to the Broederkerk (1473-90), which originally belonged to a Minorite house, the Minderbroedersklooster. Between the two choirs is an attractive crow-stepped tower. The two aisles of this Gothic hall-church are separated by columns with beautiful leaf capitals.
The Frans Walkate Archief (with library) at Burgwal 41, originally a private collection assembled by a banker named Frans Walkate, illustrates the history of the town and the province, with old maps, atlases and 19th and 20th century views of the town.
Immediately west of the Kampen Town Hall is the Nieuwe Toren or Heiligengeesttoren (New Tower, Tower of the Holy Ghost; 1649-64), built by Philip Vingboons, with a fine carillon by the Hemony brothers. In summer the tower can be climbed.
At the north end of Kampen's old town is the Buitenkerk or Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Outer Church, Church of Our Lady; R.C.). The original cruciform church (14th C.) was converted around 1450 into a hall-church (with aisles of the same height as the nave). Particularly impressive are the round columns with Brabantine leaf capitals and the octagonal sacristy - a feature unique in the Netherlands.
The Tobacco Museum in Kampen offers an informative survey of the history of tobacco and cigar manufacture. A particular attraction is the longest cigar in the world, manufactured in 1983, which features in the "Guinness Book of Records".
Three of Kampen's 15th century town gates still survive: the rectangular Koornmarktspoort on the banks of the IJssel; the Broederpoort (1465; rebuilt in Renaissance style 1615), with four corner towers, on the west side of the old town; and the Cellebroederpoort (1465; rebuilt 1617) to the south, a rectangular structure with two round towers. Farther south lies the municipal park.
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