Destinations
keyboard_arrow_rightNiederlande
keyboard_arrow_rightFriesland
keyboard_arrow_rightHoorn
Map data ©2018 Google
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airplanemode_activeFlights to Hoorn ()
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filter_dramaUnderstand
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History
Hoorn was probably founded around the year 1200, and quickly gained in importance as a harbour town in the 14th century, developing trade links with the Baltic and Flanders. In 1356 Hoorn became a chartered city, and continued to prosper. It became one the most important and wealthiest towns on the Zuiderzee, and it was even competing with Amsterdam. Hoorn's importance was emphasized in the 17th century as the one of the six cities with a chamber of the Dutch East-Indies Company VOC. The town boasted numerous warehouses and shipyards, and ships from Hoorn sailed all around the world - Cape Horn was named after the town when two ships from Hoorn were the first to sail around the southernmost tip of South America in 1616.
In the 18th century, the economy of the Dutch Republic gradually declined, and Hoorn lost its international position. Trade from then on focused on agricultural products and cattle.
Since the 1960s, when it was designated as a suburban development area, Hoorn became more and more of a commuter town of Amsterdam. This has gone at the expense of building extensive and rather boring suburbs. The city centre however has largely escaped restructuring, and is very well preserved. Today, Hoorn has some 70,000 inhabitants and remains an important regional centre.
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The region of West-Friesland
Hoorn is the largest town in the region of West-Friesland, an area that retains a number of distinctive characteristics. As its name betrays, it has historical links with the province of [wiki=a76ebed919d1196ee7a2ba5ec84a0836]Friesland[/wiki] on the eastern shore of the IJsselmeer. Its dialect is also closely related to the Frisian language. The region is geographically defined by its enclosure dike, the Westfriese Omringdijk, and covers an area of approximately 780km². It is a predominantly agricultural region, with characteristic bell-shaped farmhouses and typical linear villages. Apart from Hoorn, there are two more towns in the region, [wiki=3165ebfcda2aee6fe0223a078c97b7c3]Enkhuizen[/wiki] and [wiki=871cec26d0f374f642d583c0c182c2ce]Medemblik[/wiki] - the latter has remained very small. West-Friesland is one of the areas in the predominantly protestant north of the Netherlands where the Roman Catholic faith remained the most popular religion.
A typical custom of the region is luilak (although this is celebrated in other regions of North-Holland as well). On the Saturday before Pentecost, youngsters will make lots of noise in the early morning to wake up the population.
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filter_dramaGet in
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By car
The A7 trunk road passes west of Hoorn and connects to Amsterdam in the south and to the province of Friesland in the north. From Amsterdam, take the A10 ring road, take the A8 in the direction of Zaandam, and then the A7 to Hoorn. Take exit 8 to reach town centre (travel time approx. 35 minutes). Hoorn's town centre is partly pedestrianised, and parking is paid, with different rates applied in different areas. More information on parking options can be found on the [url=http://www.hoorn.nl/Int/Welkom-in-Hoorn/Diensten-en-producten-Hoorn/Parkeren-bezoekers.html]website of the municipality[/url] (in Dutch only).
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By train
Hoorn is easily reached by train from Amsterdam, and has direct train connections to [wiki=3165ebfcda2aee6fe0223a078c97b7c3]Enkhuizen[/wiki], [wiki=83b3e2cdf1d8b6e3af5973b15758dbfe]Alkmaar[/wiki], [wiki=f1efd9c7b80c3bc948e0621c8f5f3de7]Haarlem[/wiki], Schiphol Airport and [wiki=8caeed1abdc845936f665d727c7bca34]Amersfoort[/wiki]. Please be aware that Hoorn has two train stations: the Hoorn Kersenboogerd station is out of town centre. For more information on timetables and tickets, see the website of [url=http://www.ns.nl]NS[/url]. Travel time from Amsterdam Central Station is approx. 30 minutes. Single fare €8 with OV-chipkaart.
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By bus
Bus 314 (operated by EBS) connects Amsterdam to Hoorn via [wiki=574d9eef81a3b8c67ddef8fc6129df55]Edam[/wiki]. It is however much slower than taking the train (approx. 1 hour travel time). Single fare €6.99 with OV-chipkaart.
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By bike
For experienced bikers, a day trip from Amsterdam to Hoorn can be a very nice experience, especially when taking the route along the IJsselmeer. Total distance is approx. 45 km (2h15 min).
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By boat
Of course, since Hoorn is a harbour town, you can also go by boat.
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filter_dramaSeeHoorn's compact historical centre is designated a Protected Cityscape, with many buildings dating from the 16th and 17th century, including 383 National Monuments. Especially noteworthy are the charming gable stones; after Amsterdam and Maastricht, Hoorn has the largest number of them in the Netherlands.
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Monumental buildings
This tower, dating from 1532, is a conspicuous landmark on the harbour, and one of the few remnants of the town's fortifications. Currently, it houses a restaurant. Next to the tower, on the waterfront, is a bronze sculpture dedicated to the fictional characters of the novel 'De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe' (Bontekoe's shipmates), a romanticised tale of a 17th century voyage to the East Indies, based on the original diary of Captain Bontekoe. The book, written in 1924 by Johan Fabricius, quickly became a popular story, and was even turned into a movie in 2007.
* The only remaining city gate of Hoorn, built in 1578 in rich manierist style.
* Originally built in 1613 as a hotel ('logement'), to lodge the participants of the sessions of the council of Westfriesland. From 1796 until 1977 it served as Hoorn's town hall. It is still owned by the town council, and is now used for official receptions. -
Churches
This church, originally dedicated to Saint Anthony, was built in 1519 as a church for fishermen and sailors. Today, it serves as the church of the Dutch Reformed Church, and is also used for cultural activities.
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Museums
This museum is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings of Hoorn, the former Statencollege (built in 1632), where the council of Westfriesland resided. The museum has a good collection of 16th-18th century paintings, silverware and porcelain, and focusses on the naval history of Hoorn and Westfriesland.
* Replica of a Dutch Eastindiaman. Part of the museum harbour maintained by [url=http://www.varenderfgoedhoorn.nl]Centrum Varend Erfgoed[/url] (Centre for Nautical Heritage; website in Dutch only).
*This museum has a fine collection of all kinds of items from the 20th century, that will evoke nostalgia with visitors of all ages. It is housed in the former jailhouse of Hoorn.
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filter_dramaDoThe Hoorn cheese market is less well known than those of [wiki=83b3e2cdf1d8b6e3af5973b15758dbfe]Alkmaar[/wiki] and [wiki=574d9eef81a3b8c67ddef8fc6129df55]Edam[/wiki], but it is a very similar event.
* A 60 minute guided tour by electric minibus through the historic town center. Passengers can hop on and off where they want. Frequencies are variable, it is advised to call ahead.
* Vereniging Oud Hoorn suggests a number of city walks on their website (in Dutch only).
*Taking the water taxi is a nice way to explore the city from the water. Various options are available for groups of 2-24 people, including a guided harbour cruise.
* With a 72 m long slide and a wildwater-section, the swimming pool is going to be a favourite with the kids.-
Outside town
A historical steam tram service dating from 1887 is maintained between Hoorn and [wiki=871cec26d0f374f642d583c0c182c2ce]Medemblik[/wiki]. You can extend this journey by taking a ferry over the IJsselmeer to [wiki=3165ebfcda2aee6fe0223a078c97b7c3]Enkhuizen[/wiki]. From there, you will have to make the return journey by regular train. Services are more frequent during the Summer season, consult the website for schedules.
* This cycling route follows the Historic Triangle, and can be combined with the steam tram or boat ride. It is divided into three sections, with a total distance of 73 km.
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filter_dramaBuyHoorn has a weekly street market in the city centre on Saturdays from 8AM - 5PM, with both food and non-food stalls. Every last Sunday of the month most shops are open from 12AM - 5PM as well. Sometimes this coincides with special events and street markets.
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filter_dramaEatHoorn has over 70 eating places in all styles and for all budgets.
* French-international cuisine, well-reviewed.
* Informal eetcafé with a seventies interior, where you can go for late lunch and dinner. Limited choice of daily specials. Also take-away. Next door, cultural centre De Zwarte Olifant offers exhibitions, films, theatre and musical performances - the website with events is a little bit chaotic however.
* The setting is wonderful, dining in the Main Tower with a view of the harbour. The food gets mixed reviews however. -
filter_dramaDrink
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filter_dramaSleep
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filter_dramaStay safe
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filter_dramaGet outNearby destinations include:
* [wiki=3165ebfcda2aee6fe0223a078c97b7c3]Enkhuizen[/wiki]
* [wiki=871cec26d0f374f642d583c0c182c2ce]Medemblik[/wiki]
* [wiki=bbe95a8fd211b428029abc279079af0e]Beemster[/wiki]
* [wiki=574d9eef81a3b8c67ddef8fc6129df55]Edam[/wiki]
* [wiki=b8de5ad0f7dea631efbccb67bda4ee20]Volendam[/wiki]
* [wiki=4ef2080cc1df91069debb4b3630df242]Marken[/wiki]
* [wiki=83b3e2cdf1d8b6e3af5973b15758dbfe]Alkmaar[/wiki]
[wiki=e8518162cfdc214a3992d062129e26ce]nl:Hoorn[/wiki]
[wiki=994bef41bdb1315e51503d66b5f30214]wts:Category:Hoorn[/wiki]