Discover Almelo: Textile History and Water

Almelo combines urban history, water, and surviving traces of the textile industry. The city was established in the 11th century at a crossroads of land and waterways. Due to this location, it developed into a thriving textile city. Several distinctive former factory buildings have been preserved as reminders of Almelo’s rich textile industry. At the Stedelijk Museum Almelo, this development is presented through objects, paintings, textiles, photographs, and videos as the history of Almelo as a former textile city and a present-day manufacturing city.

Museums, Art, and Urban History

The museum route through Almelo leads to three museums: Stadsboerderij het Wevershuisje, Stedelijk Museum Almelo, and Bolletje Museum. Guided tours of Almelo with experienced city guides are offered from the Wevershuisje. At the Stedelijk Museum Almelo, the program includes temporary exhibitions, workshops, and activities. The art route through Almelo passes several works of art, studios, galleries, and artistic activities in the city.

Bolletje also combines industrial history with culinary impressions. The Bolletjewinkel is located in Bolletje’s old factory building, which is considered the birthplace of the brand. There, visitors can shop, eat, and drink, as well as visit the Bolletje Museum. The Bolletje bakery museum shows how baking was done in the past, including with a wood-fired oven and historic bakery equipment and baking molds.

Historic Places by the Water

Houtstek was originally a barn used as a sawmill and was one of nine sawmills in Almelo. In 1998, it was rebuilt almost true to the original; since then, it has served as a harbor building housing all the facilities of the marina. The Praam Stad Almelo II offers another way to access the city. The authentic iron cargo ship offers sightseeing cruises on and around Almelo and was formerly used to transport peat.

Hof van Gülick is considered the oldest part of Almelo bearing this name. From the 12th century onward, a collection of mud-and-thatch houses developed there, forming the origin of the city. The Kolkje and Hof van Gülick area was once characterized by waterways and grassland on both sides, where linen was bleached before it was incorporated into the park of Huize Almelo. Doepark de Hagen is also located in the center—a green meeting place for residents, people seeking recreation, and especially children, including a water playground.

Cycling and Hiking Routes through Almelo

The Almelo-Nordhorn Experience Route is a cycling route that largely follows the historic Almelo-Nordhorn Canal and connects Almelo with Nordhorn. The hiking route through the Gravenallee runs through the grounds belonging to the driveway of Huize Almelo. It leads through dense forests and open areas, along wide avenues and narrow paths, and beside streams and ponds.

Another hiking route in Almelo follows the small River Aa, passing boats and the combination of greenery and water that characterizes Almelo. In the Discovery Corner at Natuurhus Almelo, children can learn about nature through play, examine natural finds under a microscope, and play nature games. Another place in the same destination area that can serve as a reference point is Bornerbroek.

To the main travel overview: Almelo.