Do you love art and culture? You’ll be in heaven in the museum district. And that means not just looking with your eyes, but also with your hands. There are even places here where you can let loose and where kids get to take the lead. We’ve listed all the cultural hotspots for you.
Koppelpoort
Amersfoort's most photographed structure is De Koppelpoort. Loved by tourists and locals alike. Discover all about this piece of history during a guided tour on top of the gate. But beware: this is only possible with a guide from Gilde Amersfoort. Oh, and don't forget to take a selfie with this Amersfoort hotspot in the background!
De Volmolen
Along with de Koppelpoort and the Lieve Vrouwetoren , the Volmolen is a striking feature of historic Amersfoort. This national monument was built in 1645 as a watermill and played an important role in the city’s textile industry.
At the Volmolen, wool was processed into cloth. This was done using water power, which drove wooden hammers to make the wool stronger and denser. Many residents of Amersfoort earned their living in the textile industry at that time. De Volmolen is thus a tangible reminder of the centuries-old connection between Amersfoort and textiles.
Kunsthal KAdE
For modern art, architecture, design and visual culture, go to Kunsthal KAdE on Eemplein. They do not have their own collection, but put together an exhibition with a theme a few times a year. The art you can admire there comes from all over the world and consists of many types of art forms. Tip: book a guided tour, as all the secrets of the artworks will be told there. Do you have children? Even better. Sign them up for the children's tour and slide into the KAdECafé yourself. Then let your child show you around and see the exhibition through their eyes.
Museum Amersfoort
At Museum Amersfoort, the city’s history is brought to life. Through paintings, historical artifacts, and stories, the museum takes you on a journey through time. The museum itself consists of three half-timbered houses built around 1540. If you look closely, you can still find traces of the former residents. Not sure where to start? You can ask for hints at the entrance. And have you always wanted to know why people from Amersfoort are called “keientrekkers”? You’ll discover that here, too.
Elleboogkerk
Near Museum Amersfoort, on the Langegracht, you’ll find the Elleboogkerk. You can spot its white turret from a distance. This neoclassical hall church is a sight to behold and is currently used as a satellite location for exhibitions by Kunsthal KAdE. In 2007, this 33-meter-tall building, dating from 1820, was destroyed by fire. At the time, it was being used as the Armando Museum. As a result, part of the Armando Collection was unfortunately lost. The church was subsequently fully restored, allowing us to enjoy it once again. Fun fact: in 1638, Capuchin Father Gabriël established a small chapel in his sister’s house, which eventually grew into this enormous hall church.
The Observatory
The Observant is the vibrant heart of Amersfoort. Every quarter you can see here the work (paintings and photography) of an artist from Amersfoort or surroundings. On Wednesday evenings the roof goes off and you can enjoy sparkling live music. Think jazz and Latin, where sitting still is impossible.
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Seen enough?
Finished exploring and admiring the Museum Quarter? You can head to these spots in Amersfoort’s cultural district for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or after-dinner drinks.
