St. Walburgis Church and the Librije

St. Walburgis Church in Zutphen is an imposing Gothic church with roots in the 11th century.

It was rebuilt in the 13th century in the Romanesque-Gothic style and served as a collegiate church for centuries. 

After the Reformation, it became Protestant. 

The church is rich in art treasures, including the Hendrick Bader organ from 1643. 

The Librije is one of the highlights: a rare chained library (books chained to the lecterns) from 1561-1564. 

Two churchwardens, Conrad Slindewater and Herman Berner, had it built as a public reading room next to the church, inspired by medieval monastic libraries.

It still contains hundreds of old books and manuscripts and is one of the best-preserved historical libraries in Europe. 

Together, the church and the library form a unique cultural-historical monument in the heart of Zutphen. 

Visitors can take guided tours.

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Sassenpoort 15th-century Zwolle

The Sassenpoort is a late 15th-century city gate in Zwolle, built between 1396 and 1409 as part of the city's medieval defenses. 

Features: Gothic style with four round corner towers, two hexagonal towers, and a machicolation (porthole gallery). 

Originally equipped with portcullises, a drawbridge over the moat, and heavy oak doors. 

It served as a gate in the southwestern city wall on the road to Kampen and Deventer (the "Sassenweg," hence the name). 

One of the best-preserved medieval gates in the Netherlands. 

After the demolition of most of Zwolle's fortifications in the 19th century, the Sassenpoort remained a national monument. 

Today, it is an icon of Zwolle, open to visitors (including a small exhibition inside) and a starting point for many city walks. 

Since 2018, the gate has also been beautifully lit at night.

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