Hoorn is a beautiful green city located alongside the Markermeer. The many trees, parks and canals make the city very green. Not only beautiful to look at but also very useful. In the summer they keep the city cool and during a rainstorm they provide protection. In spring and summer Hoorn is at its greenest, but in autumn the other beautiful colors appear. The perfect place for a green city walk!
Center surrounded by green and blue
Hoorn is literally surrounded by green and blue. On the south side the center and the historic harbors are bordered by the blue of the Markermeer. And on land the center is surrounded by a beautiful old city wall with an old defense tower and a city gate, both surrounded by tall trees. This green city wall runs into the beautiful Julianapark. A city walk through green Hoorn takes about 1.5 hours.
Hoorn, city of the lime tree
Hoorn is also the city of the Lime tree, a historic tree that you will find in many places in Hoorn. There are several types of Lime trees of which the ‘Leilinde’ is the most famous. Branches of this tree are bent horizontally and attached to a frame. In subsequent years the shoots on the trunk and those growing in the wrong direction are pruned. This creates a dense foliage screen that offers cooling in the house, especially in summer.
Oudste boom van Nederland
The Lime tree is the oldest tree in the Netherlands. The thickest Lime tree in the Netherlands has a trunk circumference of 790 cm! This tree is probably more than 400 years old. In history the Lime tree is seen as a sacred tree; the spirit Freya, which is said to have taken up residence in it, was a protector of houses and churches. A Lime tree branch was also said to help as a remedy for toothaches and was also used in amulet form as protection against black magic and spirits. The Lime tree has often been sung about and refers to past love and also appears in many city arms including those of Opmeer, Stede Broec and Noorder-Koggeland. In short, a tree with a story, which can be admired in abundance in the beautiful Hoorn.
Groene stadswandeling Hoorn
In the period May – October every walk through Hoorn is a green walk. During a city walk through green Hoorn we come along some beautiful green spots.
Of course we pass the most important monuments and we always pass the Lindenstraat (Lime tree street) in the harbor district. Contact us for more information!
