Muurhuizen, Utrecht Province, The Netherlands

5denis k 5:00 PM Jan 27, 2020

Middle Ages
When you walk through the Muurhuizen you imagine yourself in the Middle Ages. When the city began to expand in 1380 due to the economic boom, a new city wall had to be built. The old wall was demolished and from around 1500 houses were built with the material of the old wall along the line where the city wall had stood. Because the construction of these houses has taken place in different periods, a great diversity of forms has emerged. Well-known buildings in the Muurhuizen: De Bollenburgh: the house where Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547-1619), born in Amersfoort, spent his youth. Museum Flehite: Museum Flehite is housed in three late-medieval wall houses, built around 1540. Over the centuries, the original houses have also been used for other purposes, such as a warehouse or even a military hospital.

5JeroenBours 5:00 PM Nov 1, 2012

The Jewel
Amersfoort is often overlooked by the Dutch and therefore by tourists alike. This is one of the cities founded by no one. It was always there. The earliest object found in Amersfoort dates back between 13,000 - 9,000 BCE. Do I have your attention now? It was not founded by the Romans, although some people think it is. It was outside the Roman Empire but it was active during those times. The name simply means 'to crossover' - an 'Amer' is low land where people could cross the river 'The Eem.' Most of the medieval city walls are gone but some are still standing. Also some 'poorten' (gates) lead you straight into a modern shopping streets which makes the point; Amersfoort still has wonderful charm and connects modern with ancient gracefully. De Muurhuizen (literally: Wall Houses) allow visitors to completely circle the inner city with small canals on either side. If you are a tourist and you'll visit Amersfoort, chances are you'll be the one tourist among all locals.