Vollenhove’s inner harbour is located in the former moat of the bishop’s castle, Oldehuys, which was converted into a harbour. In the town stands the Kleine or Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady): its single-nave body probably dates from 1434, while the tower dates from 1458. Walking routes also vary in length, from a historic town walk of under two kilometres to a 28-kilometre circular route.
Harbour, church and town history
Vollenhove is one of three protected town and village landscapes in the municipality of Steenwijkerland. The history of the inner harbour includes its former function as the moat of the bishop’s castle, Oldehuys. The still-existing Ansjoviskelder is also located by the inner harbour. It was restored in 1994 and was used to keep fish cool and ferment it. These details tell the story of the harbour area’s different uses, without implying that the Ansjoviskelder is currently accessible.
The church adds two distinct dates to this historic picture: 1434 is only a probable date for the body of the church, while the tower dates to 1458. At Stadsmuseum Vollenhove, you can see fishing equipment, ship models and objects used in fishing and in maintaining nets and ships. The collection offers another way to explore the themes of fishing and shipping.
Stadsmuseum: opening hours and walking route
The Stadsmuseum is open on Mondays from 10 am to 3 pm and from Wednesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Groups are welcome outside these hours by appointment. From the Vollenhove, zwembad bus stop, you can walk to the museum via Vismarkt, Heilige Geeststeeg and Schapensteeg; the route is 350 metres long. Check the opening hours and route information before you travel.
Walking routes by length and course
The historic town walk in Vollenhove is less than two kilometres long and takes more than an hour. Both details matter when planning your time: the route is short, but the stated duration is over an hour. The Havezatenspel route is 2.5 kilometres long and passes numerous historic sites. These are two shorter routes to choose from, with different information provided: the town walk has a stated length and duration, while the Havezatenspel route has a stated length and historic destinations.
A considerably longer option is OHP 4: Rondje Vollenhove. This 28-kilometre circular walk passes through the Land van Vollenhove, is marked red and white, and can be walked in either direction. Parking is available for this route in Vollenhove and Zwartsluis; both towns can be reached by public transport. Waymarking and route information may change, so check them before setting out. The Christoffelpad also connects Vollenhove with a longer regional route: the first section ends here, and the second starts in Vollenhove and leads via Genemuiden back to Hasselt.
Hill and flat landscape
The Hoge Land van Vollenhove is a ten-metre-high hill in an otherwise completely flat landscape. Landscape features mentioned here include woodland, hedgerows, pollarded willows and pastureland. The contrast between the single hill and the flat surroundings is a distinctive feature of the landscape around Vollenhove; its characteristic features range from woodland to open pastureland.
Bloemencorso throughout the year
The Bloemencorso Vollenhove flower parade takes place every year in the week before the last Saturday in August. The highlight of the week is the procession on that Saturday. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, use this recurring schedule as a guide and check the specific event dates for your travel year. Since 2013, the Bloemencorso has been included in the Netherlands’ National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and is also on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Discover more destinations: Kalenberg, Kallenkote, Steenwijkerwold, Steenwijk, Giethoorn, Ossenzijl, Belt-Schutsloot, Wanneperveen.
For the main travel guide: Steenwijkerland.
