Holiday apartment in Elburg: history, water and nature

Elburg combines a clearly structured historic townscape with waterways, museums and a varied landscape. The present rectangular street plan of Elburg was designed by the rent meester Arent Thoe Boecop. The fortifications included a complete city wall, two entrance gates, 20 wall towers and four corner towers. The Vischpoort dates from 1592. The Grote of St. Nicolaaskerk also tells the story of the town’s long history: following the granting of permission in 1397, it was built in the Gothic style and completed in the 15th century.

Culture

The Elburg Museum is housed in the Agnietenconvent, built in the 15th century, and displays an extensive collection on the history of Elburg. Visitors can view the former monastery buildings, the medieval double chapel and the monastery garden. During the summer season from May to September, the Grote of St. Nicolaaskerk can also be visited; the church tower can be climbed if desired.

The De Hoefhamer Museum Forge preserves Elburg’s last centuries-old smithy as a museum and has retained its authentic character. The workshop still contains a hot forge, anvils, hammers and tongs. The Sjoel Elburg Museum documents the everyday lives of Jewish families who had lived in Elburg since 1700. Zandverhalen Elburg offers another way of communicating history: the covered sand sculpture exhibition presents biblical and historical scenes created from thousands of kilograms of sand.

Nature

In the municipality of Elburg, the landscape transitions from higher-lying woodland through a more varied landscape of hedgerows and meadows to the water. The De Zoom drifting-sand area has distinctive flora and fauna, including juniper, and is suitable for hiking and cycling. A trail across the Doornspijkse Heide runs along the De Zoom drifting-sand area.

Around Zwaluwenburg Castle, there is an approximately 4-kilometre hiking trail through woodland, meadows and herb fields. The Vrijheijtpad runs through the fortified town of Elburg, across meadows, along the open grazing area of De Mheen and through the former settlement of De Vrijheid. The Thornspiccerpad runs through the cultivated landscape between Elburg and Nunspeet. Along the way, it crosses the transition from the Veluwe ridge, with its woodland, heathland and drifting sands, to the lower-lying pastureland.

De Groene Kruidhof is a historic herb garden in the oldest part of the fortified town of Elburg. For another look at the harbour area, take the Havenwandeling, a 90-minute guided walk through Elburg’s harbour district.

Museums

The De Hellege Botter Museum preserves Elburg’s maritime heritage not only through exhibitions: visitors can caulk part of a Botter there. The Stichting tot Behoud van Elburger Botters is committed to preserving the cultural and historical maritime heritage, knowledge of the construction and restoration of fishing vessels, and Elburg’s historic inner harbour.

The National Organ Museum Elburg is the only museum in the Netherlands dedicated to the historic pipe organ. It displays playable organs and traces the development of the Dutch pipe organ from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Water

Water sports enthusiasts can reach Hanzehaven Elburg via Lake Veluwe and Lake Drontermeer. Elburger Botter trips depart from Havenkade, opposite the Vischpoort at the level of the green water pump. Original, restored Elburger Botters can be rented with a skipper and accompanying crew member for sailing days; this rental service is available from mid-April to the end of October. Botter trips in Elburg are available from 90 minutes, and catering can also be provided.

A special date in the maritime calendar is Botterdagen. It takes place every year on the second weekend of September; in Elburg, more than 60 fishing vessels can be seen over three days.

The former Elburg fish auction hall has served as a small fisheries museum since 1987 and houses a restored auction clock. The former fish auction hall is open to the public in July and August; groups can visit by appointment.

Other local pages

For further orientation in the area, you can also visit the pages on Doornspijk, Elburg and Aperloo.

For the overarching travel overview: Gelderland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Tiel, Montferland, Wijchen, Oost Gelre, Ubbergen.