Amersfoort: gateway to ...

Part of the old city wall of Amersfoort is the interesting Koppelpoort, which leads you to Amersfoort's rich history, innovative architecture, museums, vibrant shopping, green areas and summer festivals.

Amersfoort is one of the cities in the Netherlands with the most monuments, which you will feel when you are strolling the medieval streets and exploring the historic buildings. The canals, houses and city walls still refer to the Amersfoort in the 13th century.

The pattern of streets and canals is now very much the same as during the development of Amersfoort. Discover the wonderful mix of a rustic, old, but very surprisingly modern city. 

Background information Amersfoort

The name Amersfoort is the first in a charter from 1028. It refers to "Amersfoirde. The town is a small settlement near a ford (voirde) by the River Eem (formerly Amer). More and more artisans and merchants settled around this place. On June 12, 1259 the city of Amersfoort receives its own rights and governance.

The urban area was protected by a stone wall with land and water gates around 1300. Of these walls, only the Kamper Inner Gate remains. In the 14th century the prosperity increased so high that the population was growing considerably. A second wall was built. On the foundations of the wall houses were built, called wall houses that still stand in the city.

In the Middle Ages Amersfoort grows into a real city. The economic prosperity is enhanced by the arrival of many pilgrims, attracted by the Mary statue that was found in Amersfoort in 1445. With the money the pilgrims brought in, the Onze Lieve Vrouwe tower was built.
Amersfoort is a real monument city of some 380 national monuments, 275 communal monuments and 16 monumental cityscapes. In 1984 the old town was designated as conservation area by the state.

The most famous and striking monument is the nearly 100 meters Onze Lieve Vrouwe tower. The Koppelpoort cannot be missed in Amersfoort. This well-preserved land and water gate from 1400 is part of the former city wall. National Monument Camp Amersfoort was probably the largest concentration camp in World War II in the Netherlands.

More information on Amersfoort can be found at www.vvvamersfoort.nl/en