Almelo, Wierden, Bornebroek

The name Almelo means: forest on sandy soil near the Aa. At the junction of the Almelose Aa and a country road, Huis Almelo has probably stood since the 12th century. It has been owned by the Van Rechteren Limpurg family for centuries. During this route, you cycle past this house (near junction 51).

Almelo is surrounded by much more water. From the Weezebeek, De Hagen, the Loolee and the Almelo-Nordhorn Canal, to the large Twente Canal. Thanks to its good location on the water and a railway connection, many home weaving mills were able to grow into textile factories during the Industrial Revolution. This led to wealth, which can still be seen in the city in the many mansions and villas.

The Twente Canal merges a bit further south into Kanaal ZZ, or Canal Zuidzijde. Yet you see that name again between junctions 56 and 55, as you cycle a beautiful stretch along a narrow canal with a stately row of trees on either side.

By the way, did you know that Almelo was also the scene of the biggest bank robbery in Dutch history? In 1944, resistance fighters raided the Nederlandsche Bank and took 46.1 million guilders. On this cycle route, we have added the former location of the Nederlandsche Bank.