8 x City walk through Gorinchem
Do you want to get to know the city better? Then a city walk is the way to take you past all the highlights. Do you prefer to walk at your own pace or do you prefer to listen to stories? In Gorinchem, you can choose from various themed walks, with or without a guide. We have selected the best historical and cultural city walks through Gorinchem for you.
Eighth city of Holland
Gorinchem was once the eighth largest city of Holland. After years of war - the Arkel Wars lasted from 1401 to 1412 - came a period of great prosperity and the city grew to 5,000 inhabitants. A big city for that time! In this 3.5 km historical city walk, you will get to know 27 highlights from 10 centuries of Gorinchem. Among other things, you will pass the oldest gate in town dating from 1391, the imposing Tolhuis from 1598, the only city gate left, a schuilkerk, a patrician house from 1566 and the atmospheric Lingehaven. You can buy the guidebook with route and map for € 4 at the VVV tourist office.
The Fortress Walk
With the 5 km route, you will learn more about the military history of the fortress. And you will discover the various fortifications; you will find out what a Sucht is, what the mysterious Listening Post was used for and the Caponnière where you can taste delicious wines today. Part of the route you walk on the vestingwallen with enchanting views over the river and the floodplains. You can also buy this guidebook at the tourist office for €4.
Free on your mobile
The fortified city walk is also available digitally: with the IZI.TRAVEL tour on your mobile phone, you can see automatically when you pass by a place of interest and learn more about it. You can download the IZI.TRAVEL app for free.
Sculpture walk
In the public space of Gorinchem there are about 120 statues and objects. Soms they are clearly visible, but soms you have to search carefully. And that is just the fun of it! Set off with the Beelden in Gorinchem booklet and discover them all! The booklet - complete with maps - is a wonderful guide to (re)discover the statues. It is on sale at the VVV tourist information office.
Poëzieroute
In the city, 39 poems and text fragments can be found; painted on walls, attached to posts and benches or incorporated in the pavement. For example, 'The Japanese Fisherman' by Ida Gerhardt, who was born in Gorinchem in 1905; 'Lijmen' by Joke van Leeuwen, or 'Het bankje' by Arthur van Schendel. All poets have a link to Gorinchem and have been collected in a 7.5 km poëzieroute through Gorinchem. Fun to discover all the fragments! And so you can see all the other beauty in Gorinchem at the same time.
Stadswandeling met gids
Would you rather walk with a guide? Our Gorcumse guides will tell you the best anecdotes and most beautiful stories about our fortified town of Gorinchem. Of course, they will take you to hotspots such as the Hugo de Groot gate, the Grote Kerk, the salty bulbs of the Gulden Capel in the Gasthuisstraat, Dit Is In Bethlehem and the wells on the Kortendijk. But you can also expect personal stories. You can still join in every Saturday in September.
Experience the adventures of Gorcum with Johannes
Do you like a bit of theatre? Storyteller Johannes is full of tall tales and exciting adventures. The main character is Hugo de Groot, but knights and damsels, poor peddlers, sly crooks, delicious Codfish and stubborn Angles also make an appearance. The StoryTrail is a historical tour and a story theatre performance in one: a city walk through Gorinchem with a twist, fun to do with your family, colleagues or friends!
