Date: 16th June 2022
Travelled: 0 kms walked around Deventer, the Central Netherlands
Visited: Deventer
Stayed: Camping Deventer, โฌ21, N52.25110, E6.14890ย
Budget: 22 days @ โฌ104 per day
We enjoyed a quite first evening in Deventer, the campsite here is relaxed and friendly. Absolutely nothing like the CMC site in York. The first and only rule appears to be, there are no rules. Come when you like, set up where you like and it has a washing machine for โฌ3. The lawns mown like the local golf course, rabbits and ducks appear at the door. Itโs all a bit 1960โs.
Admittedly the facilities are not as clean and tidy as the CMC, but I donโt care as I donโt use them. Everyone is Dutch which is not surprising, once we explain we are not related to Boris Johnson everyone is very friendly as English was a required second language here for many years.
Deventer, Overijssel, The Netherlands
Our travel guide recommend a visit to Deventer, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Its charter existing from around 877 AD. Being situated on the banks of the River Ijssel, Deventer quickly established itself as a trading town thanks to its port. You can read more about the city in the above link. The current population is 100,00+.
Pam has knocked over two loads of washing so the Hymer smells a treat this morning as we walk off to catch the ferry (โฌ1.70 pp, return) across the Ijssel to the old town.
As we wander Deventer we only have a map and a points of interest list I took a photo of from our guide book. There are no information panels in English or any other language, than Dutch, at any of the touristy places of interest everythings my best guess.
Once off the electric ferry we walk up to the Nieuwe Markt, where we find the Grote of Lebuรฏnuskerk (Deventerโs main church). The current structure dates to 1450. Like many churches it has been sacked and burnt to the ground several times prior.
The church is huge and gothic in style but like most buildings in the Nieuwe Markt itโs a building zone. There is scaffold and barriers everywhere so we move on.
The main square or Brink is not really square but a conglomeration of open spaces in which perhaps 8-9 narrow lanes converge. It seems lined from one end to the other with small cafes.
Following our guide book we go looking for the Netherlandsโ oldest stone house. At the end of a narrow lane we find this stone and brick wall with a plaque. Not one of our guide books finest moments.
So we have walked the tiny lanes and squares of Deventer for a few hours. The high point for Pam was a new top at the H&M, so we hit the supermarket and make our way back to the ferry and the Hymer. I think we have done Deventer.
Michael + Pam
