Schoonhoven

( Listen? / I ) Schoonhoven is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, South Holland province.

Location and economic

Schoonhoven is located about 12 km southeast of Gouda on the north bank of the Lek. The other bank of this river can be reached by ferry. During the crossing, you have a beautiful view over Schoonhoven Old Town. Schoonhoven is the " Silver City " of the Netherlands with a significant technical school for the gold and silver smithing and watchmaking. Because of the small, but beautiful old town and many tourists come for a short trip to Schoonhoven. Nearby dairy cattle is kept for the Gouda cheese.

History

In 1247 Mr. Johan I. van gave the Leede the villagers Schoonhoven the right to build a port. For himself, he had a castle build (which was lost in 1518 due to a fire ). Soon followed by other city rights. The town was walled in 1350. The Eighty Years' War brought Schoonhoven much harm: it repeatedly moved perforce after a conquest of the page. The attachment was renewed in 1582 and 1601. The absence of other sources of income, some residents sought refuge in the silversmith's art. In the 18th century there were many who practiced this profession, and this craft is for Schoonhoven still important. The fortress was razed in 1816, but the place remained a garrison town. About Schoonhoven many soldiers went from 1945 to 1949 in the fight against the Indonesian independence movement.

Attractions

Schoonhoven is a romantic, typically Dutch town. When Lekfähre a city gate is still preserved. The Town Hall (built in 1452 ) was restored in 1929. The Church in the city ( 1375, tower of the 15th century) houses the tomb of the explorer Olivier van Noort. Significantly, the gold, silver - and Watch Museum. There are often exhibitions and demonstrations held by modern international silversmithing, partly in English.

Pictures

Schoonhoven, city hall

Schoonhoven, The Church

Memory

Cityscape

Canal

City ​​wall

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