Kolkenroute

The Kolenroutetocht leads through an area that still shows many traces of the centuries-long struggle of man against the water of the Zuiderzee and the river water of the IJssel. You will see residential hills or mounds, dikes, dike remnants and gullies. It can be assumed that the turpenaa laying in this area started around the year 1000. The oldest dikes were built around 1350 when the sea tides began to rise and pose a threat to the city. The first dike construction often took place by connecting mounds.

More than 20 gullies that you will pass on this tour are the still visible signs of dike breaches that took place centuries ago. A breakthrough creates a deep hole. The new dike was usually laid around this hole, hence the meandering course of most old dikes. The tour starts and ends in the oldest city center.

Notice the regular street pattern that is so characteristic of Kampen. In fact, little has changed in this street plan since the middle days. This pattern is formed by nine streets running parallel to the river, which are interconnected by narrow and very narrow alleys at right angles to them. Even today, the fight against water continues. The city wall along the IJsselkade (also the invisible parts in the houses) serves as a flood barrier. In the alleys that are perpendicular to the IJsselkade, bulkheads are placed at very high tide of the IJssel.