Waddinxveen: Culture, Nature and Parel aan de Gouwe

The lifting bridge over the Gouwe in Waddinxveen is a riveted steel structure dating from 1935–1936. It has both cultural-historical and architectural-historical value. The bridge is highly rare and is one of the few well-preserved lifting bridges. The identical lifting bridges in Alphen aan den Rijn and Boskoop are associated with it.

The years in which it was built make the lifting bridge a testimony to local architectural history. Its state of preservation and its connection to the identical structures in Alphen aan den Rijn and Boskoop give the structure a special historical context beyond its location on the Gouwe. At this site, construction, history and the relationship with other bridge locations come together.

More local pages: Waddinxveen.

Culture

The Remonstrantse Kerk is an official Rijksmonument and also the oldest monument in Waddinxveen. It was built as a semi-hidden church along the Gouwe. At Zuidkade 59, the church building is suitable for small musical performances, lectures and exhibitions. Anyone planning to visit the Oudheidkamer on a Saturday will find it open from 10:00 to 16:00.

The church thus combines its status as a monument with a distinctive construction along the Gouwe. The address Zuidkade 59 is just as much part of the information about the church building as its use for small musical performances, lectures and exhibitions. For the Oudheidkamer, Saturday is given as the opening day; the opening hours are from 10:00 to 16:00. This means that the cultural sites are described in terms of both historical features and specific public uses, as well as fixed opening hours.

Nature

’t Weegje is a water-rich green peatland area of approximately 60 hectares in the south of the municipality of Waddinxveen. It lies between the Gouwe, the Ringvaart and the railway line. The large peat lake of ’t Weegje is surrounded by walking trails, pollard willows and marsh vegetation. A birdwatching screen stands on the north side of the lake. From there, visitors can look out over a wet meadow area for meadow birds.

The approximate size of about 60 hectares describes the extent of the peatland area, while the Gouwe, Ringvaart and railway line indicate its location in the south of the municipality. Around the peat lake, walking trails, pollard willows and marsh vegetation alternate. The birdwatching screen on the north side directs the view towards the wet meadow area described as a habitat for meadow birds. Water, waterside areas and open meadows therefore all form part of the landscape of ’t Weegje.

Cycling route

For planning your own day, two specific details are relevant for the Parel aan de Gouwe cycling route: it starts at Waddinxveen Centrum railway station and is 27 km long. The route passes through Waddinxveen. The cultural highlights along the route take you through Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Gouda, Krimpenerwaard, Waddinxveen and Zuidplas. Along the way, there are murals, works of art, sayings, windmills and museums.

Waddinxveen Centrum railway station is named as the starting point of the route, while its length of 27 km indicates the stated extent of the route. The route remains connected to Waddinxveen while also passing through Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Gouda, Krimpenerwaard and Zuidplas. The cultural character of the route is expressed in several forms: murals and works of art stand alongside sayings, windmills and museums. The route therefore has both a clear starting point and a succession of different cultural impressions along the way.

To the higher-level travel overview: Waddinxveen.