The ‘Golden Age City Walk Hoorn’ summary
During the Golden Age City Walk we will visit the most important monuments of this period. The Golden Age (17th century) was very decisive for the development of Hoorn and has shaped the city as it looks today. During the walk I will tell you the most important stories and events from this period. Don’t be afraid of a boring list of dates because the stories from those periods are at least as interesting as a good movie. Jan Haring, Jan Pieterszn Coen, architect Henrick de Keijzer and the VOC will certainly come along. During the walk you will find out why Hoorn was able to benefit so quickly from the disappearance of the Spanish rule.
Starting point and route of the ‘Golden Age City Walk Hoorn’
We can start the Golden Age city walk at several places. The best starting point is De Roode Steen. During the hike we make a tour through the city centre and return to the starting point. The route can look like this:
- Starting at the Roode Steen (in front of the entrance of the Westfries Museum, Museum of the Golden Age);
- Via the Vismarkt and the Italiaanse Zeedijk to the Hoofdtoren (main tower);
- Along the Veermanskade, Korenmarkt direction Grote Oost;
- Via the Schoolsteeg to the Kerkplein;
- Through the Kloosterpoort to the Wisselstraat towards the Statenlogement;
- Back to the Kerkplein and Boterhal;
- Through the Geldersesteeg to the Grote Noord (Cyriacuskerk);
- Back to the Roode Steen.
Halfway through the hike we have the possibility to extend the tour. There are several options depending on the specific interest of the participants. Note: In practice, the route will deviate regularly due to markets, events or limited access to alleys or streets. Prior to a walk, we will discuss the individual requirements. Then we can tailor the route accordingly. I take into account the accessibility and accessibility of the streets for all participants in the tour.
Details of the ‘Golden Age City Walk Hoorn’
- Approx. 1.5 to 2.0 hours (the walk can be made longer and shorter!)
- Total walking distance: approx. 3.5 km
- Starting point: Roode Steen (in consultation another starting point can be chosen)
- Reservation or booking: contact us!
General tourist information Hoorn
About the Golden Age of Hoorn
The Golden Age is a period that roughly coincides with the seventeenth century. The Northern Netherlands, which together formed the Republic of the Seven United Provinces, underwent a major development in the fields of trade, science and crafts. During this period, the Republic was an important political and military power thanks to a very large and strong sea fleet.
For some scientists, the Golden Age starts in 1602, the year in which the VOC was founded; others use the year 1609, the first year of the Twelve Year Truce. For Hoorn, the Golden Age actually started several decades earlier. From the middle of the 16th century, Hoorn was able to benefit from the Little Ice Age. Due to climatic changes (drop in temperature) grain harvests failed throughout Western Europe. Thanks to its favourable location, Hoorn was an important hub in the Grain Trade with the Baltic Sea. This trading position allowed Hoorn and Enkhuizen (and Amsterdam) to benefit from the increased demand for grain in Western and Southern Europe. Especially when after the battle on the Zuiderzee (1573) Hoorn, as one of the first trading cities, managed to break away from the Spanish domination, the trade got a big boost again.
After the disastrous year 1672 a period of relative economic decline began and the Golden Age had passed its peak.
For an overview of guided tours: click here!
