Deventer Travel Guide

Introduction

Deventer, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, is a picturesque destination situated along the banks of the River IJssel. With a population of approximately 100,000, this charming city boasts a rich history dating back to the 8th century when it was founded by the English missionary Lebuinus. As a former member of the Hanseatic League, Deventer flourished as a trade hub during the Middle Ages. Today, it is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including over 500 monuments, the oldest stone house in the Netherlands, and the impressive Lebuïnuskerk. Visitors can explore the winding streets of the Bergkwartier, browse independent shops, and experience local culinary delights such as the famous Deventer honey cake. The city also hosts several notable events throughout the year, including Europe's largest book market and the atmospheric Dickens Festival in December.

Deventer hosts three events of national and even international fame:

• Deventer op stelten ("Deventer on Stilts"), a spectacular open air festival held in early July.
• the Deventer Boekenmarkt, Europe's largest book fair in early August, which draws around 100,000 enthusiastic visitors on a single day.
• the Charles Dickens Festival (Dickens Festijn) in Mid-December, which attracts 125,000 visitors annually.

History

Deventer was probably founded around 768 by the English missionary Lebuinus, who built a wooden church on the right bank of River IJssel.

The village was burnt by the Vikings in 882, and immediately rebuilt and fortified with an earthen wall. Deventer is officially the first place in the Low Countries to have been granted city rights during the medieval period - in 956. Its fortifications were consequently replaced by stone walls.

As a harbour of the IJssel River, reachable by sea, Deventer flourished thanks to trade, became a member of the Hanseatic League in the 15th century. The city had a common mint, where coins for the 3 IJssel cities of Deventer, Zwolle and Kampen were made.

Deventer was one of the first cities to be equipped with printing press (from 1477). It had an internationally famous Latin School, which the famous humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus (1566-1636) attended as a boy.

The progressive silting up of the IJssel cause sea trade to decrease considerably from the 16th century. The iron industry revitalised a bit the local economy in the 18th century. From the middle of the 19th century, Deventer became an industrial town. Bicycles, carpets, tins and cans for foods and drinks, cigars, books, machinery, mattresses were produced until 1970. Nowadays, the main industry is central heating systems. Deventer honey cakes are sold all over the Netherlands.

Attractions

There isn't any major museum here, and few tourists find their way to Deventer. It is a shame as Deventer is a particularly charming city. The best way to tackle the city is to stroll around its well-preserved streets to catch the atmosphere.

Among buildings of interest, let's note the Waag (weighing house, built in 1528, now housing a small toy museum), the houses on the Brink (market square), the late Gothic-style Lebuïnuskerk (St. Lebuin's Church), the Gothic-Romanesque Sint-Nicolaas of Bergkerk (Church of St Nicholas-on-the-hilltop) and the 14-th century Broederenkerk (Brothers' Church).

How to get there

Deventer is easily accessible by various transport modes. From Amsterdam, the train journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, costing around 20 euros for a one-way ticket. If driving, take the A1 motorway from Amsterdam, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The city has several parking garages where a full day costs approximately 10 euros. For international visitors, Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) is the nearest major airport, with direct train connections to Deventer. Once in the city, the compact historic centre is best explored on foot, with the Brink square serving as an excellent starting point. For venturing beyond the centre, cycling is a popular option with bike hire available. Deventer also offers a reliable bus service—consider purchasing an ov-chipkaart for convenient payment. A charming passenger ferry (€1.10 single/€1.70 return) crosses the IJssel River, connecting the city centre to the Ossenwaard nature area and offering lovely views. For those wanting to explore further afield, the city's location makes it an ideal base for day trips to other Hanseatic towns in the region.