Hattem combines city history, museums with different focuses, and routes through the rural surroundings. The Dijkpoort and surviving sections of the city wall provide tangible points of reference for the city’s architectural history; Klompenpaden and the ’t Algemene Veen nature area also draw attention to the landscape. If you are looking for a hotel in Hattem, your choice of destination may depend on whether you want to focus on historic buildings, museum topics, or outdoor activities.
Traces of the City’s History
The Dijkpoort dates from the 14th century. Its towers were added in 1908 based on a design by architect Pierre Cuypers; the gate was completely renovated in 2012. The structure thus reflects several distinct periods: its medieval origins, the towers added later, and the renovation. Parts of the original city wall have also survived. The Grote of Andreaskerk, Hattem’s oldest church building, is located in the center and adds another point of reference for the city’s history.
Another type of historic building is the De Fortuin wind-powered grain mill. It stands on the ramparts of Hattem’s historic city center. The mill is free to visit and is open and operating every Saturday from 13:30 to 16:30. As visiting hours may change, check the schedule before your visit. The mill offers a distinct focus alongside the city’s church and civic buildings.
Museums and Hanseatic History
The museums have different focuses. At the Anton Pieck Museum, you can use a smartphone for a museum tour. The Voerman Stadsmuseum Hattem has a painting collection featuring works by Jan Voerman senior, Jan Voerman junior, Jo Koster, and other artists. If you are choosing between different cultural topics, these offer two distinct ways to explore: a digitally guided museum tour and a painting collection.
The Nederlands Bakkerijmuseum regularly holds its “Broodshows.” During these events, the baker tells the story of bread and pastries and demonstrates their skills working with dough. This combines a cultural history topic with a demonstration of traditional skills. The focus of a visit here differs from the painting collection at the Voerman Stadsmuseum or the smartphone tour at the Anton Pieck Museum.
The Hanze Walk of Fame also explores Hattem’s history: its interactive tour of Hattem uses audio, images, and augmented reality to present the city’s Hanseatic history. These different media are part of the tour format; the focus is a different topic from those covered by the museum collections mentioned above. Ten Luisterbankjes are spread from the city center to the green outskirts. Each is marked with a Luisterbankje logo and a QR code.
Routes Between the City and the Countryside
There are two Klompenpaden for exploring the rural surroundings. They run across extensive meadows and along quiet unpaved paths. Their setting and surfaces set them apart from Hattem’s culture-focused attractions. Cycling route junctions 58, 59, and 60 are in or near the center.
Hattem lies on the northern edge of the Veluwe. The ’t Algemene Veen nature area is a short distance away; there you will find heathland, juniper groves, and drifting sand. The Klompenpaden and this nature area offer different landscape impressions: extensive meadows and unpaved paths on the one hand, heathland, juniper, and drifting sand on the other. Alongside the buildings, museums, and Hanseatic history, these themes offer different ways to discover Hattem as a destination.
For the general travel overview: Hattem.
