Zwolle

It was a long drive to Zwolle, but so worth it.    Such a pretty city, with plenty to see.    

In the 8th century merchants settled here, on the Zwarte Water.   Zwolle probably comes from the Latin 'Suolle' meaning a high altitude area that remains dry during floods.  It became a member of the German Hanseatic League, and became n important trading city in the 15th century.

We crossed the outer river before entering the city centre.

A leaning house.   

The city centre was very busy, as it was a Friday and market day.

Lunch at a lovely cafe, unfortunately we had to sit in the shade, the only table left.   The Dutchies love the sunshine.    There was a very steep staircase up to the toilets, which is not unusual.   A delicious lunch.

I have finally learnt how to cut a kroket in order to place it on a buttered piece of bread, with mustard on top.   It has to be cut lengthways, otherwise you end up with quite a mess.   Our lunch also came with tomato soup and a roll with a slice of raw beef.    

A narrow street, bathed in sunshine.

The lovely carpet in the Grote Church, or St Michaelskerk.    An enormous church, which now has a cafe and second hand bookstore in it.    Plus a huge and well preserved organ.

Aaron reading the tour guide.

The organ.

Beautiful windows in the church.

An art display.

And to continue our walk through one of the squares.

This courtyard was the home of an educationalist, Joan Cele, during the Middle Ages.    The institute is considered the beginning of the gymnasium because of its curriculum.

I think the city was getting ready for a festival, or perhaps Koningsday, which is tomorrow.   There were plenty of pissoirs around.   Nothing for the ladies though.

The art gallery.

The city gate, the Sassenpoort, was built in 1406, and is made of brick, and decorated with natural stone.

The houses beside the gate was originally connected to the gate.   There were two gates, an inner gate and an outer gate.   When Charles, Duke of Guelders, tried to invade the city in 1524, both gates were closed as he, and his men, where passing through it.   They of course died a nasty death.

A street view of the gate.

This square was packed with restaurants and people sitting in the sunshine.

The glass statue of the Archangel Michael.

The enormous library.

And then we walked slowly back to the car park.  

Altogether a delightful day out.