Wijk bij Duurstede, Schalkwijk, Cothen

The agricultural sector around Wijk bij Duurstede has its origins in the early Middle Ages, when the place was still known as Dorestad and was under Roman rule.

After a troubled period in Italy, peace returned in 620 and south-north trade via the Rhine resumed. Dorestad grew into an important trading centre thanks to its strategic location on the Lek, Vecht and Rhine rivers. Almost every shipping route passed this thriving town.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Dorestad came into the hands of the Frankish kings in 690. Both Utrecht and Dorestad were fortified along the Rhine, and the town became a hub for trade in pottery, glass, metal and goods between the Mediterranean and the Baltic. Dorestad flourished as never before.

In 720, the town was moved about 500 metres to the east as the Rhine changed course. Dorestad's new port stretched for two kilometres, with two rows of houses along the water. Without city walls or defences, however, the city was vulnerable to looters and dependent on the king for protection

West of the city, an agricultural area with large farms developed, similar to those in the Veluwe and Drenthe. Here both traders and farmers found work. Many of them combined both professions.

Until well into the 8th century, industry continued to flourish in the Netherlands, with Dorestad as an exception: in addition to an extensive agricultural sector, various crafts flourished there, such as shipbuilding, woodworking, rope-making, tannery, mint making, iron smithing and textile processing. From Dorestad, much trade was done with Scandinavia and England.

In 810, the Vikings invaded the Netherlands for the first time. Despite good trade relations, Dorestad was plundered in 834. The city faced repeated attacks for over 30 years, partly due to the lack of defences and a Frankish king who sympathised with the Vikings. Trade came to a standstill. At the same time, the Rhine pushed further east. The inhabitants could no longer find the energy to move the city again. The trading centre Dorestad fell prey to history.

Yet the agricultural sector continued unabated. Now, more than 1,200 years later, the fertile lands along the rivers are still in use. Fruit orchards, extensive nature and green floodplains dominate the landscape. The beautiful river landscape also attracted Utrecht nobility, which built castles and estates. These can still be admired today, making the Kromme Rijnstreek known as 'The outside of Utrecht'.


This Premium cycle route has been compiled by our editor: Anne de Zwaan.