Wandellus NH Back in time with the city trip Hoorn longer version

Hoorn was granted city rights in 1357 and is thus the youngest of the three West Frisian cities, alongside Enkhuizen and Medemblik. Nevertheless, Hoorn quickly developed into the most important city of West Friesland. Here came great men like Governor-General Jan Pieterszoon Coen and the sailors Willem IJsbrandszoon Bontekoe and Willem Corneliszoon Schouten. And who doesn’t know Johan Fabricius’ book ‘The shipboys of Bontekoe’? Nowadays, the former Zuiderzee town is popular among water sports enthusiasts.

This walk takes you past the most beautiful historical sites of Hoorn. You start at the Kleine Oost by the Oosterpoort (1607). Via the Grote Oost and Oosterkerksteeg, you will pass the Ooster- or St. Anthony's Church, with its unique clock above the street. Walk through the Kerkplein and the two gateways to the impressive Grote Kerk. On Kerkstraat lies the Sint Jans Gasthuis (1563), recognizable by the distinctive grooved stones next to the entrance.

Through the Nieuwstraat, you reach the Statenlogement (1613) and the multimedia show of the Westfries Museum (closed until 2027 for renovation). A little further on Nieuwstraat 18 stands a beautiful 18th-century residential house. On Kleine Noord, you will find the Noorder- or Women’s Church (1519), and at Breed 38 the monumental building De Gekroonde Jaagschuit.

Then walk via the Achterom to the Proostensteeg, where the Maritime Antiquities Room is located. After that, you will arrive at the square with the Statencollege (1632) and the Waag (1609). Through the Oude Haven, you walk to the Hoofdtoren and conclude the route at the atmospheric Oostereiland, with its historic VOC warehouses, cozy terraces, and views over the harbor. From here, you can easily walk back to the starting point.