Enchanting 'Wijk bij Duurstede'
My feet were itching again last weekend -- I am dying to explore a picturesque borough! And even though the weather was grey and dreary, it has its lucky charm for the day. It was dry, and on Sunday afternoon, the sun stooped low and sent a few warm rays along our way.
With the many beautiful villages the Netherlands has to offer, it is indeed a daunting yet irresistible task for this history and cultural devotee to choose which reward to unwrap and discover this time. So I turned to the book Dutch sister loaned me for help - Het Toppunt van Nederland. What am I searching? I am looking for a charming village with an appealing history, a countryside feel, scenic (of course), and should not be far from the city of Utrecht.
A write up about Wijk bij Duurstede caught my eye. The municipality is about 22 kilometers down southeast of Utrecht. It says this town has the most number of castles in the country – 15! Most are located in the little village of Langbroek (which I still have to visit by the way).
“De Donjon” Duurstede castle. Spooky eh?
Now, let’s start with the most popular castle of the 15, the one bearing the name of the town - Duurstede.
This magical 13th century citadel is situated in an island near the Centrum, and nicknamed by many as “De Donjon”. The book said this is the biggest and tallest bastion in the Netherlands (probably before its destruction?). The castle is partly in ruins conditions and the standing tower now fully restored to its magnificent state reminds us of its past grandeur and glory.
Helaas, the castle was closed for a private party. No one can go inside.
Spotted outside the castle walls by the entrance gate, this poem is heartily dedicated to those with uncontrollable mouths but still managed to get a following.
How shall I say this? I loved the setting of the castle! It’s like a precious gem hidden in a forest island, watched and sheltered charily by unseen eyes. The sphere exudes a deep medieval spirit that sends us back in time. The castle breathes. It is alive and is speaking to me... however, its other half is mysteriously silent, buried in the thick vaults of history, as evidenced by its remaining torn down walls.
The Markt Centrum in Wijk bij Duustede, and who says opas (grandpas) are not camwhores? lol
The Centrum on the other hand, as it is Sunday, suggests a deserted ghost town. For a relatively small village, they have impressive goodies displayed (and were teasing me, come buy me!) from the shop window. I am already eyeing a classy dark brown high-heel boots. There were also a few bars and restaurants open. By the old stadhuis [city hall], activity was building up as an ice cream parlor and a café with open-air terraces were servicing customers. I was not in the mood to sit down. It was too cold to be immobile when walking has its advantages - I am burning energy, so I bought an ijsje [ice cream] instead.
Above is the striking “Langs de wal” -- these elegant buildings-residences are not cheap, and on the left foto is the boat feast in the haven.
Then I took a stroll towards the haven where the locals held a little boat festival.
Facing the haven is a long stretch of fortification ruins called, “Langs de Wal”, and guarded with a row of neat, striking and elegant buildings following the curvature pattern of the brickwork walls. If you walk further to the junction by the little bridge, you will see the imposing yet charismatic windmill, the “Rijn en Lek”. Due to its prime positioning along the (once) city defense walls, many passersby identify the windmill with the town. The “Rijn en Lek” windmill has become a Wijk bij Duurstede landmark.
...............
This is taken in “Langs de Wal” and you can see the elegant buildings, the “Rijn en Lek” windmill, and the boat festivities in the haven.
The pretty “Rijn en Lek” windmill.
Surprisingly the weather got better so I thought I would linger for a while. The Dutchman is with his father anyway (they just got back from Italy), busy helping him with the computer, so I have enough time to knock around to my hearts content in this town.
Further ahead, I saw the rich green meadow with ponies grazing below the dikes. A traipse down there would be nice...
I am below the dike! Erm, someone is playing with the bicycle traffic signboard.
The river “Lek” is one of the river arms of the river Rhine in Germany. This flows all the way to Kinderdijk and to the river Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam.
More fotos here: Wijk bij Duurstede
Official information of Wijk bij Duurstede in English: The borough of Wijk bij Duurstede
Sigh – It’s one of those days that have to end. The whole experience left me with a warm fuzzy feeling though, loving the discovery, immersing in history and culture, and yet not having enough of it, which reminds me -- I still have the nearby lovely villages to explore: Cothen and Langbroek. Now that’s something to look forward to!
With the many beautiful villages the Netherlands has to offer, it is indeed a daunting yet irresistible task for this history and cultural devotee to choose which reward to unwrap and discover this time. So I turned to the book Dutch sister loaned me for help - Het Toppunt van Nederland. What am I searching? I am looking for a charming village with an appealing history, a countryside feel, scenic (of course), and should not be far from the city of Utrecht.A write up about Wijk bij Duurstede caught my eye. The municipality is about 22 kilometers down southeast of Utrecht. It says this town has the most number of castles in the country – 15! Most are located in the little village of Langbroek (which I still have to visit by the way).
“De Donjon” Duurstede castle. Spooky eh?
Now, let’s start with the most popular castle of the 15, the one bearing the name of the town - Duurstede.
This magical 13th century citadel is situated in an island near the Centrum, and nicknamed by many as “De Donjon”. The book said this is the biggest and tallest bastion in the Netherlands (probably before its destruction?). The castle is partly in ruins conditions and the standing tower now fully restored to its magnificent state reminds us of its past grandeur and glory.
Helaas, the castle was closed for a private party. No one can go inside.
Spotted outside the castle walls by the entrance gate, this poem is heartily dedicated to those with uncontrollable mouths but still managed to get a following. How shall I say this? I loved the setting of the castle! It’s like a precious gem hidden in a forest island, watched and sheltered charily by unseen eyes. The sphere exudes a deep medieval spirit that sends us back in time. The castle breathes. It is alive and is speaking to me... however, its other half is mysteriously silent, buried in the thick vaults of history, as evidenced by its remaining torn down walls.
The Markt Centrum in Wijk bij Duustede, and who says opas (grandpas) are not camwhores? lol
The Centrum on the other hand, as it is Sunday, suggests a deserted ghost town. For a relatively small village, they have impressive goodies displayed (and were teasing me, come buy me!) from the shop window. I am already eyeing a classy dark brown high-heel boots. There were also a few bars and restaurants open. By the old stadhuis [city hall], activity was building up as an ice cream parlor and a café with open-air terraces were servicing customers. I was not in the mood to sit down. It was too cold to be immobile when walking has its advantages - I am burning energy, so I bought an ijsje [ice cream] instead.
Above is the striking “Langs de wal” -- these elegant buildings-residences are not cheap, and on the left foto is the boat feast in the haven.Then I took a stroll towards the haven where the locals held a little boat festival.
Facing the haven is a long stretch of fortification ruins called, “Langs de Wal”, and guarded with a row of neat, striking and elegant buildings following the curvature pattern of the brickwork walls. If you walk further to the junction by the little bridge, you will see the imposing yet charismatic windmill, the “Rijn en Lek”. Due to its prime positioning along the (once) city defense walls, many passersby identify the windmill with the town. The “Rijn en Lek” windmill has become a Wijk bij Duurstede landmark.
...............
This is taken in “Langs de Wal” and you can see the elegant buildings, the “Rijn en Lek” windmill, and the boat festivities in the haven.
The pretty “Rijn en Lek” windmill.
Surprisingly the weather got better so I thought I would linger for a while. The Dutchman is with his father anyway (they just got back from Italy), busy helping him with the computer, so I have enough time to knock around to my hearts content in this town.
Further ahead, I saw the rich green meadow with ponies grazing below the dikes. A traipse down there would be nice...
I am below the dike! Erm, someone is playing with the bicycle traffic signboard.
The river “Lek” is one of the river arms of the river Rhine in Germany. This flows all the way to Kinderdijk and to the river Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam.
More fotos here: Wijk bij Duurstede
Official information of Wijk bij Duurstede in English: The borough of Wijk bij Duurstede
Sigh – It’s one of those days that have to end. The whole experience left me with a warm fuzzy feeling though, loving the discovery, immersing in history and culture, and yet not having enough of it, which reminds me -- I still have the nearby lovely villages to explore: Cothen and Langbroek. Now that’s something to look forward to!
