"close by for a day out" a Gouda Travel Page by margaretvn

This lovely little city is close to where we live, so if we do not know what to do for a day out we often visit. It has some great museums and lovely old streets to wander through. There is the market and the cheese market (in the summer months). A great place for a day out.

The city was granted its charter in 1272, it lies on the rivers - the Hollandse Ijssel and the Gouwe. It the 15th century it was a flourishing centre for the textile industry and beer brewing. Then it sunk econoically and politically until the 17th century. It recovered thanks to its cheese, candles and pipe industries. Today it is still famous for its cheese and candles. The cheese markets are held on the three sided square around the Stadhuis (townhall)