Culture can also be savoured at the firms where old handicrafts are still being carried out, such as silversmiths, cheese-making farms and the pipe-making workshop. Gouda, town by the water’s edge, breathes the atmosphere of an exciting and rich past. A history of trade, art, industry and water. It is a town that has more to offer than just cheese and candles! The riches in the municipal museums and the gorgeous Goudse Glazen (stained-glass windows) in the Sint Jan church are a striking example of this. Children can discover Gouda’s secret by going on a great town walk “Op strooptocht” (On raid). 

Schoonhoven “Zilverstad” (Silver Town) and Oudewater “Heksenstad” (Witches’ town) with their splendid historical centres of restored monuments, charming shops and beautiful galleries are well worth a visit. At the VVV you can book a town walk under the supervision of a guide to be assured that you will miss nothing of those special spots. 

The Groene Hart, for centuries a source of inspiration
The Groene Hart has for centuries been the setting for famous Dutch artists. Famous artists of the Dutch School have made masterpieces in this area. Nowadays the beauty of the Groene Hart and its inhabitants are still being recorded. 

The Groene Hart has many museums with fine exhibitions. But the museums offer more than just shows and exhibitions. For example, you can take a silversmith workshop in the Nederlands Goud- Zilver en Klokkenmuseum (Netherlands Gold, Silver and Clock Museum) in Schoonhoven.

Below search for, among other things, historical buildings, windmills, museums and firms to be visited.