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How I Met Kampen
How I Met Kampen
I was in Deventer at the invitation of I&O Research (Now IPSOS I&O), when I saw that in 2023 9 cities in East part of The Netherlands were going to celebrate Hanzejaar (Hanseatic Year). I took the opportunity to visit all 9 cities and became interested in Hanseatic cities. Not the parties/ festivals which they are famous for, but for the history and the cities themselves. Kampen is one of the 9 Hanzesteden (Hanseatic cities).
9 Hanseatic cities & Hanzejaar 2023
9 Hanseatic cities & Hanzejaar 2023
In 2023 I visited all 9 Hanseatic cities several times to walk through the city center, explore the surroundings and visit museums. I am still hiking in the surroundings of the Hanseatic cities because of the beauty between the 9 cities. Kampen has more than Hanseatic history.
Guided Walking Tour Hanseatic city
Guided Walking Tour Hanseatic city
The Vrije Academie was offering a guided tour in some of the 9 Hanseatic cities. I seized the opportunity and walked the guided tour in Kampen with them. There are more organizations offering guided tours in Kampen. There are also guided tours in Kampen on other themes than the Hanseatic period.
Sprained Ankle
Sprained Ankle
During the guided tour in Kampen in 2022 I sprained my ankle on the sidewalk that wasn't there when I expected there was more space on the sidewalk. I finished the guided tour, but the ankle was swollen and had to get some rest and physiotherapy. So be careful on sidewalks when listening to the guide, admiring the beauty of the city and taking pictures.
Self-guided Hanseatic City Walk
Self-guided Hanseatic City Walk
At the tourist information point In Kampen I got a folder with a self-guided tour around Kampen. The one I did was about the Hanseatic period. The folder has a map and some information about highlights from Hanseatic history. There is no description of how to walk, but the map is sufficient to find all the icons of Kampen.
Hanzestedenpad Stage Zwolle - Kampen
Hanzestedenpad Stage Zwolle - Kampen
The old routes that were in use during the Hanseatic period are marked and can be hiked. The Hanzestedenpad, as the marked route is called is a bit more effort than a city walk through Kampen, but it is worth it. It is almost like hiking in the Hanseatic period, especially in 2024 when it rained a lot and some stages couldn't be completed following the route in the book. It almost looked like impassable swamp and jungle. A detour was sometimes necessary. I still need to hike part of this stage Kampen - Zwolle.
Urban Farms
Urban Farms
Nowadays there are no more farms in the city center. In the past there were farms with cows, pigs, chickens, etc. in the city center. Not petting zoos (kinderboerderijen), but real farms. Nowadays the farm buildings are converted into houses, apartments, shops and museums. Sometimes the farm construction can still be recognised in the transformed buildings and reconstructed ornaments. And sometimes it is all replaced by new buildings.
Stedelijk Museum
Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk museum is located in the former town hall. The history of Kampen is on display and in 2023 there was an exhibition about the Hanseatic period in Kampen and the cog (kogge) ships. Some of the temporary exhibitions can be found in the annex building further away, the former Synagogue.
Former Synagogue
Former Synagogue
The former Synagogue is now part of the Stedelijk museum and can be visited. There is Jewish history on display and also temporary exhibitions. It is worth a visit and the view from the Synagogue over the river is also worth it.
Ikonenmuseum
Ikonenmuseum
The Ikonenmuseum can be seen as the religious museum of Kampen. It contains a lot of religious artifacts, paintings and some rarities. It is not my kind of museum. There was an temporary exhibition I wanted to see when I visited this museum.
Kampen Library In Former Kazerne
Kampen Library In Former Kazerne
The former military city Kazerne is now a cultural meeting place housing the library, the touristic information point, the City Archive and some other activities. The history of the building is still visible in the library. The interior of the library can be described as modern and homely.
City Archive Kampen In Former Kazerne
City Archive Kampen In Former Kazerne
The City Archive is also located in the former city Kazerne. I visited this archive to learn more about the city farms and the Hanseatic time in Kampen. The City Archive has very limited opening hours. Be aware of this when visiting the City Archive to look up history through old documents. The documents must be reserved in advance and an appointment is required to view the documents. The setting is beautiful and the documents are sometimes really old and smell funny. Wash hands thoroughly after a visit. It is worth going through the documents to check if history is true.
Economic Geography Advisory Report Zwartewaterland
Economic Geography Advisory Report Zwartewaterland
When I was working for STOGO Onderzoek + Advies I made an economic geography advisory report about Zwartewaterland. Back then a colleague of mine knew the industrial estate of Zwartewaterland, but I never visited it. It is not necessary that all the members of the team working on the advisory report visit the location. The advisory report can be found in the blog 'Actualisatie Ruimtebehoefte Gemeente Zwartewaterland'.
Soup At The Station
Soup At The Station
Restaurants and terraces can be found everywhere in the center of Kampen. The one I want to mention is Perron 1 where homemade soup and groceries can be bought.
Related blogs on my website
Related blogs on my website
Camping during the holidays, a Dutch tradition that I will skip next time
Deventer Has The Skyline On The River To Proof It is Still A 'Hanzestad'
Normally I don’t do pre-days, but for the surrounding of Venlo I gave in
Strolling The Hiking Trails About The Lives Of Women In The Dutch Cities
When Amsterdam moved to Hilversum the architecture was born there
*I worked at STOGO Onderzoek + Advies from 2007 - 2009. STOGO Onderzoek + Advies was bought by I&O Research in 2010 (IPSOS I&O).
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