"NAARDEN..... fascinating to see" Naarden by rozehill

Naarden Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 52 photos

Aerial View of "Star" shaped town - Naarden

Naarden is primarily famous for the unique fortification and one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe. In the 21st century the fortified town Naarden no longer poses a military threat to anyone. However, that was quite different years ago.
In military and strategic terms Naarden was impregnable and originally built as a part of the New Holland Waterline to resist a possible attack from the French. For a long time it housed foreign enemy troops. How all this happened and, particularly how imaginative and skilful work of the builders of this fortress has been, can be seen and experienced everyday in and around this fortified town.
Naarden a very lively and attractive town.
Dutch fortresses consist of stone, earth ramparts, dropping sharply down into wide moats.
You enter the fortress by a drawbridge.
Further into the town is another bridge across the inner moat and finally there is an opening in the wall where, originally there was a gate. Only one of these gates remain "The Utrecht Gate" no longer open to traffic but you can pass through by foot or bike. The former Amsterdam Gate is not there now.
Naarden is about 15 minutes from Amsterdam

Last visit to Naarden: Oct 2002
Intro Updated Nov 14, 2002
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Reviews (2)

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Comments (10)

deecat Jul 2, 2004 at 2:48 AM Report Abuse

Rosie, Although I've never heard about Naarden, I really enjoyed your introduction explaining it. Thanks for the tour.
cbeaujean Apr 8, 2004 at 6:12 AM Report Abuse

naarden is really an interesting place....but,why, coming from new zealand don't you visit zealand as well? :-))
globetrott Mar 23, 2004 at 9:18 PM Report Abuse

I never heared of this place ! It looks really great and interesting from above !
sim1 Jun 11, 2003 at 8:19 AM Report Abuse

Wow, wish I had gone to Naarden! It looks fantastic! I love those old fortified cities!
herzog63 Jun 11, 2003 at 1:18 AM Report Abuse

What a unique way to design a town! The birds must love it!!
nighthawk Mar 28, 2003 at 5:28 PM Report Abuse

never been there .. looks great .. like bourtange (also an old fortified place, far smaller tho)
AnjaV Nov 28, 2002 at 11:56 PM Report Abuse

Far away from home....Naarden is cute:)
martin_nl Nov 18, 2002 at 3:54 PM Report Abuse

Great pictures!! I do have to check Naarden out someday. I live quite close to it actually!!
irisbe Nov 18, 2002 at 3:36 PM Report Abuse

interesting location!
the shape is very recognizable! would love to visit that place some day as well!
ATLC Nov 14, 2002 at 10:55 PM Report Abuse

Naarden also famous for its concerts in the Grote Kerk.. THE performances of Mattheus Passion for instance! Thanks, rozehill for some nice pictures :-)