Visitors considering Nieuwerbrug aan Den Rijn as a destination will find a place whose history is closely connected to bridges, waterways and the management of water. The village probably originated around a bridge over the Oude Rijn between Bodegraven and Woerden. From the late Middle Ages onwards, the movement of people and goods along the Oude Rijn became increasingly important to the village, particularly after the two Wierickes were constructed. This development provides a historical thread for a visit: bridges explain the village’s history, while the mill and waterways show how water has shaped it.
Bridges and local history
The Tolbrug is the latest successor to a bridge that stood in Nieuwerbrug aan Den Rijn around 1510. The Onafhankelijkheidstoren offers another glimpse into the past: it was built in 1913 to celebrate the centenary of independence after French rule and is a municipal monument. The bridge and tower thus point to different aspects: the succession of a local bridge and the commemoration of independence. This makes it possible to distinguish two defining themes in the village’s history without combining them into a single narrative.
The Weijpoortse Molen
The present-day Weijpoortse Molen was built in 1674 as a wipmolen to drain the waterline after the Rampjaar. Its history connects this type of mill with a specific drainage task. When the mill is turning, a volunteer miller is on site to answer visitors’ questions. As this opportunity depends on the mill being in operation, it is advisable to check the current situation before visiting. The miller’s former living quarters include a small living room and a box bed. Alongside its technical function, these details also offer a glimpse into the miller’s everyday life in the past.
Coffee and culture at Museum De Koffietuin
Museum De Koffietuin is located in Nieuwerbrug, in an old farmhouse; parts of the building date back to 1610. It is devoted to all things coffee. Guided tours and workshops are available by prior appointment. The museum sells more than 25 types of coffee, including coffee from Toradja, Kopi Luwak and Jamaica Blue Mountain. It also offers the complete tea range from Wijs & zonen, which includes more than 100 types of tea. The museum’s focus is thus complemented by a specific selection of coffee and tea; advance arrangements are explicitly required when planning a guided tour or workshop.
Waterways and cycling route
The Oude Rijn, Enkele Wiericke and Dubbele Wiericke around Nieuwerbrug are particularly well suited to walking, cycling and boating routes. This offers several ways to include the surrounding area in your trip. Local conditions may vary, so check the current route before planning a specific outing. One named cycling route is the 55-kilometre Waterlinie Luister Route Henrick. It starts at Theetuin de Koffietuin in Nieuwerbrug. Its stated length makes it a clearly defined cycling option alongside the walking and boating routes around the waterways.
Discover more destinations: Reeuwijk, Bodegraven.
Return to the main travel overview: Bodegraven-Reeuwijk.
