Gouda

Gouda's Unmissable Treasures

Gouda's historic center revolves around the medieval Markt, home to the 15th-century Gothic Stadhuis and the 17th-century Waag, where cheese has been weighed for centuries. The Sint-Janskerk, the longest church in the Netherlands, is celebrated for its 72 world-renowned 16th-century stained glass windows. Beyond the central square, the city's heritage extends to the 't Slot windmill, the 1609 Lazaruspoortje gate designed by Gregorius Cool, and the Barbaratoren, a surviving remnant of a 14th-century hospital chapel.

Gouda Cheese Market

Cheese market with a tradition of more than three centuries.

Stadhuis van Gouda

One of the oldest Gothic city halls in the Netherlands, this free-standing limestone structure dates back to 1448. It features a carillon on the side facade with mechanical puppets that perform every half hour.

Waag

Designed by architect Pieter Post and completed in 1670, this historic weigh house was used to weigh Gouda cheese to determine taxes. The building's facade features a detailed marble relief depicting the weighing process.

Sint Janskerk

The Sint Janskerk in Gouda, the Netherlands, is a large Gothic church, known especially for its stained glass windows, for which it has…

't Slot

A circular stone flour mill built in 1832 to replace an earlier 16th-century octagonal windmill. It stands on the foundations of the former castle of the Lords of Ter Gouw.

Barbaratoren

This brick tower is the only surviving remnant of the chapel belonging to the Sint-Barbaragasthuis, a medieval hospital and guesthouse founded in the 14th century.

Lazaruspoortje

A Renaissance-style stone gateway built in 1609 by sculptor Gregorius Cool. It originally served as the entrance to the city's leper asylum and features a relief depicting the biblical story of Lazarus.

Gedenkteken A. A. van Bergen IJzendoorn

An ornate 1895 memorial monument dedicated to Mayor Albertus Adrianus van Bergen IJzendoorn, who bequeathed his significant art collection and funds to the city of Gouda.