Marvel at Naarden. It is a small town east of Amsterdam. Naarden boasts spectacular star-shaped fortifications. These fortifications date back to the 17th century. The town center has also kept its historic character. Naarden is a destination you should not miss in the Netherlands.
Naarden was first mentioned in the 10th century. It received its city charter around 1300. At that time, the town was located more to the north. In the 13th and 14th centuries, disastrous floods washed away large areas of land. This led to the creation of the Zuiderzee. Because of the flood damage, the town was abandoned. It was relocated to its current location on higher ground in 1350.
The new Naarden prospered. It became an important merchant town and center of textiles industry. During the Dutch rebellion, Spanish troops launched a punitive expedition to Naarden in 1572. They burned the town to the ground. They massacred almost all the population killing more than 700 people. This atrocity helped sway sentiment in the Netherlands in favor of the rebels.
Once the Dutch had taken control of the region, they started to build the famous fortifications. These proved of little use during the French invasion of 1672. Louis XIV had the fortifications extended hoping to stay. But the French were quickly repelled. The final stage of the fortifications was finished in 1685. This made it one of the best remaining examples of 17th-century defensive architecture in Europe.
Later, Naarden became part of the defense line of Holland, the Hollandse Waterlinie. The town hardly ever had to serve its purpose. Only in 1813 to 1814, French troops remaining loyal to Napoleon managed to withstand a Dutch siege for some time. It was only in 1926 that the military status of town was repealed. The fortifications were restored from 1932 on. Currently it is part of the Protected Cityscape of Naarden.
The town these days has about 17000 inhabitants. Most of whom live outside the small historic center. Most of the fortifications are accessible on foot. It is a very nice experience to walk the city walls. Admire the views of the bastions and moats. Naarden’s center has a rectangular street plan. It is a Protected Cityscape with many 17th-century houses.
Just outside town is the oldest nature reserve of the Netherlands, the Naardermeer lake. In 1905 the city of Amsterdam wanted to use the lake as a landfill site. Writer and teacher Jac. P. Thijsse prevented this. He established the first nature conservation organization of the Netherlands, Natuurmonumenten. He bought the site before it could be destroyed. Today, it can only be visited with a guided tour by boat. You can walk or cycle the 17 km perimeter to enjoy its wetlands and wildlife.
The Dutch Bach Society stages an annual performance of the Matthäus Passion at Easter in the Great Church. It is broadcast on national television. It is the biggest event in town. Tickets are sold out very quickly. Being close to the Gooi region, Naarden is a relatively posh place to Dutch standards. The town has its fair share of pricey boutiques, galleries, antique shops and vintage stores.