Gouda Attractions

Gouda is famed for its cheese (Goudse kaas), which is made either in factories or on farms (boerenkaas, "farm cheese"). The large round cheeses weigh between 5 and 10kg (11 and 22lb). Gouda cheese is sold in different levels of fat content (volvet, full fat, with over 48% of fat, or mager, lean, with over 20% of fat) and different ages (young, "middle-aged" and old). Other local products are stoneware, candles, clay pipes and syrup waffles.

Gouda Cheese Market features an auction of art, antiques and traditional handicrafts.

This annual market takes place every Thursday morning during the summer. Events include a cheese market, cheese-making demonstrations and street entertainment.

Goveka in Gouda is an annual country fair that includes a Potters Festival every Wednesday, a cattle and cheese market one Wednesday a month and traditional food and craft stalls in the Gouda Market Square.

The Gouda Jazz Festival is an annual weekend festival taking place in early September and includes concerts, a street parade, street performances and special events in the pubs and cafes across the town.

To the east of the Grote Kerk, in Jeruzalemsstraat, is the Jeruzalemkapel / Jerusalem Chapel (15th C.).

The building has been restored and is open to the public.

North of Gouda lie the Reeuwijk Lakes (Reeuwijkse Plassen), formed as a result of peat cutting, which are now a popular water sports area with several hotels and restaurants.

Two interesting buildings in Spieringstraat are the former Orphanage (Weeshuis) of 1642, now the Municipal Library, with a fine carved coat of arms over the entrance, and, at the south end of the street, a flour mill, 't Slot (1832), on the site of the old castle (Slot) which was demolished in 1577.

On the northeast side of the Markt is the handsome Weigh House (Waag), a typical example of Dutch Renaissance architecture (by Pieter Post, 1668). Over the entrance can be seen an interesting stone relief depicting the weighing of cheeses.