Gouda, Schoonhoven, Oudewater

Those who cycle the Golden Age Triangle will enjoy Holland at its best. The route goes straight through medieval and historical landscape and takes you to the beautiful inner cities of Gouda, Schoonhoven and Oudewater. Cities that owe their atmospheric centres to the Golden Age (1600 - 1700): the period in which Holland grew into the most powerful and prosperous country in the world.

In Gouda, visit one of the oldest Gothic town halls in the Netherlands on Markt and admire the ‘Goudse Glazen’, or impressive stained-glass paintings, in Sint-Janskerk. The cosy streets are full of artisan shops and cheese dairies. No doubt you will see Gouda pottery in the boutiques. Like Delftware, Gouda pottery is an art movement in which all kinds of decorative pieces were made from Gouda clay and painted by hand.

Schoonhoven is known as the Silver City thanks to the number of silversmiths who have been active here since the Golden Age. A town full of craftsmanship, where you can enjoy cycling alng along the canals, historic facades and cosy squares.

Finally, the Triangle brings you to Oudewater. During the Golden Age, this was an important centre of rope-making. You will therefore find the Rope Museum here. But that's not all: there was a Witches' Watch in those days, where women were weighed to prove they were not witches. Put the bike down for a while and stroll through the historic fortress.

Admire the beautiful famous and lesser-known gems from the Golden Age. Can you imagine how seventeenth-century farmers, traders and rich people were already using these old connecting roads too?