Zwolle in the Netherlands, a city between two rivers
Zwolle is the capital of Overijssel province and can be found on the map northeast of Amsterdam. The city is located between Jssel and Vechte rivers, and it definitely has something to offer tourists. With an area of more than 119 km2 and a population of about 123,000, Zwolle attracts mainly with its old inner city. Here you can admire various monuments, primarily of a religious direction. In addition, there are interesting secular buildings.
Before the trip, many tourists book a car in the Netherlands online to get a favorable rental rate, see more attractions and not depend on tour groups. At Amsterdam Airport the cost of renting a compact class car starts from 18 euros per day, in Amsterdam - from 20 euros per day. When renting for a longer period, you can get a discount.
Sassenport Gate
Zwolle reached its peak in the 15th century. This period is remembered, among other things, for the Sassenpoort stone gates, which are visible primarily in the old town, as they are part of the original fortifications. The gate was built in 1408 or 1409 and today is one of the protected monuments. It is even one of the hundred largest monuments in the Netherlands.
Grote Markt
Grote Markt, Zwolle's main square. There are many interesting historical buildings here, some of which are religious, while others, such as the Great Town Hall from the 15th century, serve purely secular purposes. Since 2010, a statue of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the city, has been installed in the center of the square. It is rather atypical, its height is 3.5 meters, and the sculptor Hermann Lamers created it from 350 layers of glass.
Church of St. Michael
Of the buildings on the Grote Markt, one cannot fail to mention the Church of St. Michael, which is the most important church building in Zwolle. It was built between 1406 and 1466 on the site of a smaller Romanesque church. Over time, it grew to its current form, a three-aisled church in the Gothic style. Today, it fascinates from the outside, but inside, it is at least interesting for the presence of a beautiful organ.
Fundatie Museum
Fine art lovers will find something to do near the city center. In the Museum building, you can admire works of art that were created from the end of the Middle Ages to the present day. It is also visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. At the same time, the museum attracts not only with the art itself, but also with its design. The neoclassical building has recently received a new ellipsoid-shaped superstructure, so now it looks really interesting.
Bird Market
For bird lovers, Zwolle is definitely famous. After all, breeders of parrots and other exotic birds meet here every year at the bird market, which is the largest such place in Europe. It is always held in this city in February and September, i.e. twice a year, and is attended by thousands of breeders.
Zwolle is one of the cities that lovers of historical architecture and fine arts will especially like. However, twice a year it attracts lovers of exotic birds. Also in this area you can admire interesting lakes.