Kampen the Hanseatic Town with many faces

 

Behind Kampen's magnificent townscape at the river Ussel, a town full of sights, draws and entertainment emerges, offering you interesting museums and places worth seeing, a broad range of art and culture, many events, a diversity of shops and lots of entertainment, water sports facilities and a beautiful environment for recreation. All of these elements turn your one day visit or short holiday into a more than worthwhile experience.

Powerful Hanseatic town,

Flourishing tobacco industry and impressive buildings. Kampen has a rich history, which is immediately apparent.

No less than five hundred monuments, stately merchant houses and narrow lanes together create the unique atmosphere of this historic town.

Don't miss the following places of interest The ancient town wall and three town gates, the magnificent churches and some of the numerous monumental buildings, such as the Gothic House, New Tower and Old and New Town Hall and a mill 1842 (d' Olde Zwarver)

Kampen's advantageous location on the Ussel River played an important role in the substantial economic growth experienced by the town in th 14th century. This growth was made possible by the development of the 'Kogge', a new type of ship that was much more seaworthy than previous models. You 'II find a replica of this medieval merchant boat at the Koggewerf boatyard.

The production of cigars was the most important source ofinco me for the inhabitants of Kampen in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Olifantis the last cigar factory in Kampen which still sells artisan cigars. And, last but not least, the restored Smithy is also worth a visit.

The city of Kampen is situated along the river IJssel close to the point where it flows into the IJsselmeer (formerly the "Zuiderzee").

Opposite of Kampen, along the IJssel, lies IJsselmuiden, which is the second largest town of the municipality Kampen.

Kampen received city rights in 1236. It joined the Hanseatic League around 1440 and it used to be an important port.

The population of the city as of 2008 was more then 50.000.