Discover Zwijndrecht: Culture, Nature and River Routes

The 41-metre-high water tower of Zwijndrecht was designed in 1897 by the architect F. A. de Jongh on behalf of the municipality. The water tower has architectural and cultural-historical value as an expression of the development of drinking-water supply in the Netherlands, in which water was extracted from the river.

Culture

De Vergulde Swaen is the local history institution of the Historische Vereniging Zwijndrecht and is located at Rotterdamseweg 53–55 in Zwijndrecht. Some of the results of the archaeological excavation can be seen in a display case at De Vergulde Swaen. Medieval shards from the 14th century found at De Vergulde Swaen prove that the site was already inhabited in the Middle Ages. The Stichting Behoud Kijfhoekkerk organises public visiting days on the first Saturday of the summer months.

The old town hall of Zwijndrecht was built in 1932 in the tradition of Traditionalism, the Delft School. The exhibition space of KunZt Zwijndrecht is located in the old town hall; the entrance is on Burgemeester de Bruïnelaan. KunZt Zwijndrecht organises exhibitions and cultural activities in Zwijndrecht. The programme includes exhibitions by professional artists, group exhibitions by amateur artists, and exhibitions by and for residents.

The Oude Kerk is a late Gothic church with a wooden bell turret dating from the mid-19th century. Its furnishings include a 17th-century pulpit with enclosure and a text panel from 1634. The Lindtse Kerk has been a Dutch national monument since 2000. It was built on the site of the church building that burned down in 1912 and is a characteristic example of Neo-Romanesque architecture.

Nature

Noordpark may be the oldest park in Zwijndrecht. It is located at the busy Drierivierenpunt and offers views of Dordrecht. Develbos lies along the old Devel stream. It offers opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding. Birds can be observed in Develbos; species found there include western marsh harriers, reed birds, long-tailed tits, robins and several duck species such as tufted ducks, shovelers and barnacle geese.

Munnike Park Arboretum was established in 1989 on the initiative of members of the Vereniging Arboretum Munnike Park, which has managed it ever since. Munnike Park Arboretum contains around 200 tree species, including oaks, chestnuts, beeches, birches, ornamental fruit trees and conifers. The herb garden is intended for the public: herbs may be picked, but the plants should be left in place.

Develpark is a park located on an island in the Devel, designed in 1962. The original design of Develpark by Hans Warnau and Jasper Meijers is a pure example of the austere modernist post-war reconstruction style. De Hooge Nesse is a 72-hectare area between the Oude Maas and the Lindtsedijk in Zwijndrecht. The area has a nature play forest, walking trails and a nature education centre.

Routes

Beeldenpark Drechtoevers opened in 1996 as an initiative of the Nederlandse Kring van Beeldhouwers. Its route runs along the rivers Oude Maas, Beneden Merwede and Noord. In Zwijndrecht, the Beeldenpark Drechtoevers route runs from the water bus stop via Veerplein, Maaspad and Noordpark.

The Devel Route is an 11-kilometre walking route that starts at the Develbos car park. In sections, it runs parallel to the Oude Maas and the older Devel river. The Drechtsteden Route is a 55-kilometre cycle route that starts at Lindtsedijk in Zwijndrecht and passes De Munnikendevel and Develbos. The 58.3-kilometre Zwijndrecht–Biesbosch Route starts at Veerweg 10 in Zwijndrecht and runs through nature and river landscapes rich in waterways.

More local page: Zwijndrecht.

To the higher-level travel overview: Zwijndrecht.