Steenwijk: A Hidden Gem Waiting to Be Discovered
Steenwijk may not be on everyone’s radar, but it’s a surprisingly charming destination! This picturesque fortified town boasts winding alleys, photogenic houses, and a variety of affordable cafés serving delicious meals. Plus, it’s located just a stone’s throw away from popular attractions like Weerribben-Wieden National Park and the Hunebedden. Are you tempted to explore the unknown?
(Re)discover the Fortress Town of Steenwijk
A city trip to Steenwijk might not seem like the most obvious choice, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised once you’re there! Let us give you a sneak peek of what this town has to offer. Be sure to visit Villa Rams Woerthe, the Hildo Krop Museum, and the beautiful Park Rams Woerthe. In the heart of the town, you can explore the Steenwijk City Museum, the fountain at the Market Square, the Grote Kerk, and the Stallen van Spijkervet. Right outside the town center, you can also walk the two-kilometer Vestingroute Steenwijk, which takes you along the city walls and past numerous monuments.
Audio Tour at Villa Rams Woerthe
Villa Rams Woerthe, an impressive Art Nouveau mansion, was built in 1899 for the wealthy Tromp Meesters family. With its elegant wrought-iron details, colorful stained-glass windows, beautiful murals, charming orangery, garden room with a view of the park, and expansive service quarters, this villa is a true architectural gem. Take an audio tour to learn about the building’s history, its design, and its former residents. Today, the villa is a museum house where you can feel right at home. You can sit on the benches, browse through photo albums, read a book, have a cup of tea in the conservatory, or even try a traditional Dutch kniepertje cookie—Villa Rams Woerthe is yours to enjoy for a while.
Did you know that it’s often referred to as the Downton Abbey of Overijssel? Just like Downton Abbey, it’s a monument to the opulence of a bygone era.
Enjoy Homemade Kniepertjes
The Hildo Krop Museum is also located within Villa Rams Woerthe. If the name Hildo Krop doesn’t ring a bell, it’s time to change that! Born into a family of bakers in Steenwijk, Krop became the most prolific and renowned sculptor of the Amsterdam School. For forty years, he adorned Amsterdam with sculptures on bridges, buildings, and monuments. His most famous work is perhaps the relief on the Afsluitdijk.
At the Hildo Krop Museum, you can explore his work, which goes far beyond the famous sculptures he made for Amsterdam. During your visit, you’ll discover Krop’s true versatility as an artist.
Park Rams Woerthe
After your visit to Villa Rams Woerthe or the Hildo Krop Museum (or even if you don’t visit either), a stroll through Park Rams Woerthe is highly recommended. This English-style landscaped park, located behind the villa, features numerous rare trees and offers a stunning view of the villa and the nearby deer park. In summer, the tearoom is open, and you can enjoy a peaceful walk through the park.
Explore the Vestingroute Steenwijk
Steenwijk’s two-kilometer Vestingroute, a walking tour around the old city walls, is a must. Along the route, you’ll find information panels that tell the story of the town, which faced many challenges during the Eighty Years' War. Want to learn all the details? Join a guided tour or grab an audioguide with "Stories from the Kop" and head out on your own. In just two kilometers, you’ll learn about over five centuries of Steenwijk history. The walk will take you past monuments and characteristic locations that tell the story of the town.
There is no fixed starting point for the route, so you can begin at any location on the map. The route could start at the train station or in the historic town center, where you can then follow the course. Along the way, you’ll likely encounter Stadstuin De Nettelbosch, a beautiful city oasis filled with flowers and plants at the edge of the old town center.
Art Nouveau Lovers Will Feel at Home
Steenwijk is the perfect city for fans of Art Nouveau or Jugendstil. At the end of the 19th century, a new architectural movement emerged as a reaction to popular classical styles. In France, it was called Art Nouveau, while in Germany, it was known as Jugendstil. This style is modern, fresh, youthful, and highly decorative.
Villa Rams Woerthe is the quintessential example of Art Nouveau in Steenwijk, the town’s architectural highlight. But there’s much more Art Nouveau to discover around town, especially the beautiful details in the Stallen van Spijkervet and the former mansion of the Spijkervet family, now home to Nico Brillen.