"The town where I used to live : Oldenzaal" Oldenzaal by sim1

Oldenzaal Travel Guide: 79 reviews and 215 photos

Oldenzaal is the town where I used to live for the past 10 years. It is in the eastern part of Holland close to the German border. This region is called Twente.
This region is quite unknown to the tourists, but it is lovely here. Not the first thing that comes to mind maybe of places to visit when you go to Holland, but absolutely worth while.

Oldenzaal is very easy to find... just take the highway A1 that runs all the way from Amsterdam to Moskow. Just before you reach the German border turn right and visit this beautiful little town! Hahaha, okay, I might be a little biased in my opinion about Oldenzaal :-)) But I enjoyed living here a lot. As a tourist not a must see, but a nice stop on the way.

A bit of history :
Oldenzaal is believed to be very old. In 700 there must have been a castle where the city is now. The name of "Oldenzaal" was found in manuscripts already in the 9th century, although it was written a bit differently "Altisalja". With a little bit of fantasy and by using the local dialect these two names look a lot alike.

On 11 July 1049 Oldenzaal got market rights. Oficially though this town dates from 1249 when it got city rights. It has been the agricultural and church centre of the region (Twente) for many centuries.

It started so interesting, but the importance of Oldenzaal has diminished after many wars and occupations. After big city fires and plunder, a lot of history has been lost. Local soldierbandits, the army of the Prince of Orange and the troups of "Bommen Beernd", the Bishop of Munster, have been a plague for the city. When in 1648 de "Peace of Munster" made an end to the 80-years war with Spain, there was not a lot left for Oldenzaal to celebrate.

But it always has been and always will be a friendly and burgondian little town close to the German border. Around 30.000 people live in Oldenzaal these days.

Last visit to Oldenzaal: Apr 2002
Intro Updated Sep 15, 2005
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Reviews (22)

Birds eating catfood????!!! Local Customs (2)

This is a very local custom I think.... maybe only happening in my backyard. I had a very weird bird (two actually)... more travel advice

Poeproute Warnings and Dangers (2)

Hahaha, I just find this a fun sign :-) I always wonder what they will think of next. This is what you have when you... more travel advice

This is a close up of one of... - Oldenzaal

This is a close up of one of... Things to Do (14)

This is a close up of one of the walls of the Basilica. These scraches have always fascinated me. You can find these... more travel advice

A map of the region Twente.... - Oldenzaal

A map of the region Twente.... Transportation (2)

A map of the region Twente. When you go to this website : http://www.twenteroute.nl/ you find out that it is actually a... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All De Oude Raadskelder : my...

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Comments (13)

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manny1 Mar 14, 2009 at 7:29 PM

The story I have always heard was that the soldiers always sharpen their swords there as the stones used to build the church was good for sharpening
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Mariajoy Feb 26, 2006 at 5:23 AM

Hi Simone! PJ sent me here to look at your carnival photos! Fabulous! So colourful! Incredible that they don't let the bad weather stop them having fun! :)
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pieter_jan_v May 30, 2005 at 11:11 AM

Ik ben nog maar halverwege. Afgelopen zaterdag een uitstekende Nationale Fietsdag in de omgeving gehad. Bedankt voor de ratings (Amsterdam heeft er meer nodig :-) ) PJ
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karin_kamphuis May 11, 2004 at 12:06 PM

(part 2..) And did you know that the new shopping centre of Oldenzaal won the price: nicest shopping-centre of Holland! (is not what i think....). Bye, Bye! -karin- PS: How did you get the blue letters and other fonts?
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rich77 Feb 20, 2004 at 3:30 AM

Another beautiful page, Simone! I didn't know this small city, seems a small jewel :) What a strange architecture the Mechorius Huis has eheh!!!
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Procaccini Dec 23, 2003 at 10:24 AM

Great page! Is Oldenzaal a nice place to meet dutch girls? or better to go to Sundby in Sweden? :-)))))
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Imbi Nov 22, 2003 at 1:28 PM

Bicyle is the best option in small town. Nice page
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dr.firas Jul 10, 2003 at 10:06 PM

Wanna take a ride on this beautiful Balloon! poeproute LOL!!!! Also wow what kind of wild birds are those who eats cat food!!! :-)))))
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pepples46 Jul 2, 2003 at 6:16 PM

lovely to see your Hometown Simone, can't remember being there:-( but been in Twente..you on a bike at nite....only in Holland thanx for a lovely page
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irisbe Jun 17, 2003 at 2:26 PM

Been a while since I "visited" but I must say I like the pages of all those (little) Dutch villages! The carnaval looked great!