Zwolle, Hasselt

Zwolle joined the Hanseatic League, a network of trading cities in Northern Europe, in 1407. Thanks to its favourable location on the IJssel and Vecht rivers, Zwolle grew into an important trading centre. Merchants earned good money trading grain, wood and fish. In the city, monuments such as the Sassenpoort, the town hall and the Peperbus (pepper pot) are reminders of this flourishing period. The star-shaped fortress was also built in the Hanseatic period, as was the ‘House with 99 windows’, also known as the Hopman House, on the Rodetorenplein.

Although Zwolle is a larger and better-known city, Hasselt was a member of the Hanseatic League before it. The city was favourably situated on the Zwarte Water. After it was granted market and toll rights in the 14th century, it was able to join the Hanseatic League in 1367. The city was an important transit port for trade between the north and the interior. Ships transported goods such as salt, herring and cloth. In the historic centre you can admire the Great or St Stephen's Church, the Old Town Hall and the lime kilns. The atmospheric quays and old streets will take you back to the time of the Hanseatic League.

This cycle route connects the two cities via old dykes, bridges and locks that mark the trade routes of the past. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views over the water.

The Hanseatic League was dissolved in 1669, when only three German cities remained as members of the once great Hanseatic League with more than 200 members. Yet Hanseatic cities are often proud of their past. That is why a new Hanseatic League was started in 1980 in Zwolle, where Deventer, Zwolle, Kampen, Groningen, Oldenzaal, Harderwijk and Zutphen joined forces to work together in the areas of tourism and culture.