Goudse stadhuis

Your morning or afternoon in Gouda will start at your hotel or if you travel to Gouda from elsewhere at the train station. Set off in a relaxing pace to make sure you really get to see, feel and learn all about this town. The main square of the city is called Market. In the middle of the fan shaped square you will find the city hall. This building was constructed after the great cityfire in 1450 and is one of the oldest townhalls in the Netherlands. At the side of the building there is a carillion with a puppet performance about the cityrights granted to Gouda in 1272. Also at the square you will encounter the 17th century constructed weighing house. In this weighing house the famous Gouda Cheese was weighed for many centuries. Nowadays in the summertime (April – August) every Thursday morning a cheesemarket takes place in Gouda. South of the square you will see the famous Saint John church. This church is the longest church of the Netherlands, measuring 123 meters. The church is best known for its beautiful stained glass windows. One of the many highlights during your visit to Gouda will be the hidden gem of the Gouda museum, its amazing garden with many sculptures. After the tour enjoy your ultimate treat: the local specialty “Stroopwafel”, a thin waffle filled with syrup.

Book your entry ticket to the city hall of Gouda and wander through this magnificent building that’s been the jewel of the market square for over 5.5 centuries. Discover the Wedding Hall, the Mayor's Room, the Council Room, and the Civic Hall in the basement. As you explore the rooms in the town hall, from the basement where meat used to be inspected to the attic where until recently the city council met, gain insight about the town and its people. Learn about the various renovations that illustrate how fashion and taste have changed over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, Gouda was already an important center due to its position near the rivers Hollandsche IJssel and Gouwe. As the town grew in importance, it needed a new and impressive town hall. The new town hall cost more than half the town’s annual budget. The town hired Jan Kelderman III, a member of a famous Mechelen-based family of architects. More than a hundred skilled workers from home and abroad worked for two years to create this elegant palace. In 1450, the building was more or less complete. The steps and landing were added 150 years later.