Schoonhoven, Lekkerkerk, Stolwijk

You cycle here through the area of the Old Dutch Waterline, the Netherlands' first line of defence from the 17th century. In case of enemy attacks, the land could be flooded to stop the enemy, but despite this, the French entered our country. They did perfect the Old Dutch Waterline for us.

Schoonhoven is better known as the Silver City, because silversmiths lived and worked here as early as the 17th century. Even today, silversmiths learn the trade here at the International Silver School. While you are here, also enjoy the town hall with a carillon of no less than 50 bells. The Bartholomew Church features bells cast from a remelted cannon. In Schoonhoven, by the way, you will also see many buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Stolwijk is famous for its leaning tower. Admittedly, at ‘only’ 85 centimetres out of plumb, it doesn't match its famous colleague from Pisa, which is 4 metres out of plumb, but still.... Ammerstol could have been a town but found city rights too expensive. Therefore, that is still a village and Schoonhoven could grow into a town.