Amersfoort Attractions

Southwest of Amersfoort, on the Amerfoortse Berg (49m/160ft: fine panoramic views), stands the Belgian Monument, commemorating the Belgian refugees who came to Amersfoort during the First World War.

South of Laan 1914 is the site of a Nazi concentration camp established in 1941 in which some 35,000 Dutch people were imprisoned. A monument commemorates the many inmates of the camp who died here.

A notable modern building in Amersfoort is the Exhibition Hall in the Zonnehof (by G. Rietveld, 1959).

In the Westsingel, a street along the far side of the outer canal of Amersfoort, is the Flehite Museum (No. 50), which contains a historical collection, including mementos of the Amersfoort-born statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547-1619), and a collection of applied and decorative art.

The Havik Flower Market in Amersfoort is held on Friday and Saturdays.

To the east of Muurhuizen is the Kamperbinnenpoort, the oldest of Amersfoort's town gates (13th C.).

The road from Amersfoort to Hilversum runs northwest by way of Soest to Soestdijk. 4km/2.5mi beyond Soestdijk, in the southern outskirts of Baarn, the road forks. The road to the left passes through a wooded area and comes in 1.5km/1mi to the Kasteel deHooge Vuursche, which is now a hotel. 6km/4mi beyond this is Hilversum.

From O. L. Vrouwekerkhof (St Mary's churchyard in Amersfoort) the outer ring canal runs north to the 15th century Koppelpoort, a water and land gate spanning the Eem in the outer ring of fortifications. The water gate (restored) could be closed with the aid of a windmill.

The Westsingel runs round the outer canal of Amersfoort and after crossing Utrechtsestraat joins the Zuidsingel. In this street, on the right, is the Mariënhof (1480), a former monastery which is now occupied by the National Archaeological Service.

Beyond Mariënhof a bridge crosses the Amersfoort canal, on the far side which on the right, is the Monnikendam, a 15th century water gate.

On the north side of Amersfoort old town is the Muurhuizen, a row of picturesque old houses built on the line of the old town walls after they were superseded by the outer circuit of walls.

In the Hof, the main square of the old town of Amersfoort, stands the Gothic Grote Kerk or St Joriskerk (St George's Church), a hall-church begun in 1243 and completed in 1534. Notable features of the interior are the beautiful Gothic rood screen (15th C.), an organ by Naber with 39 stops and the tomb of the famous Dutch architect Jacob van Campen.

Southwest of St George's Church in Amersfoort rises St Mary's Tower (Onze Lieve Vrouwentoren), almost 100m/330ft high. This imposing Late Gothic tower, with a carillon of 47 bells by the famous Francois Hemony, is one of the finest of its kind in the Netherlands. It originally belonged to St Mary's Church, which was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1787.

Stichting Mondriaanhuis in Amersfoort houses the birthplace of Piet Mondrian and is adjacent the school where his father was the head-teacher.

The Amersfoort Zoo (Dierenpark Amsersfoort) features thousands of animals, reptiles, and a nocturnal animals house. There are also many special attractions and play areas for children.