At the Mondriaanhuis, you can trace how Piet Mondrian’s work developed from realistic landscapes to abstract compositions with distinctive lines and planes. The Mondriaanhuis is the artist’s (1872–1944) birthplace museum.
Art and City History
The Museum Amersfoort is housed in three typical Amersfoort Muurhuizen in the historic city centre. It displays art and special objects; a multimedia city model brings stories from the past and present to life. The museum thus brings individual works and objects together with stories connecting the city’s past and present.
The historic gates also offer a chance to compare different architectural styles. Monnikendam is a water gate built around 1420. The Koppelpoort dates from 1425 and combines a land gate and a water gate; you can visit it on a guided tour. The late-medieval Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren is more than 98 metres tall. The two gates show that a city gate need not serve just one function: at the Koppelpoort, the land and water routes come together.
Parks and Experiences
The green spaces offer different historical points of interest. Park Schothorst was laid out in the English landscape style in the 19th century. Park Randenbroek has medieval origins and is listed as a Rijksmonument, meaning a Dutch state monument. The parks’ historical references therefore range from the 19th-century landscape style to medieval origins.
’t Hammetje is an area for walking, playing and sports. It has play equipment, a large sand play area and a viewpoint beside the artwork De Uiverhoeve. The various amenities range from exercise and play to a viewpoint beside the artwork.
The experiences also have different focuses: Waterlijn offers themed trips centred on nature, art, culture or special historic places. A city walk starts at Stadsbrouwerij De Drie Ringen. There, you can learn more about the brewing process and taste several beers. While Waterlijn trips focus on particular themes, starting at the brewery offers a specific local highlight.
Getting Around and the Regional Context
To get around Amersfoort, the city is giving pedestrians and cyclists more space and ensuring good routes between neighbourhoods. Bicycles can be parked free of charge in secure facilities. These are practical points to consider when deciding how you would like to travel between neighbourhoods.
Amersfoort borders three national landscapes: Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Veluwe and Eempolder. A cycling route runs from Amersfoort through the Arkemheen-Eemland nature area to Bunschoten-Spakenburg. The landscapes and the specific route offer two different regional connections: the named landscapes on the one hand, and a particular cycling destination on the other.
Remembrance on the Border with Leusden
The Nationaal Monument Kamp Amersfoort is located on the border between Amersfoort and Leusden. It commemorates around 47,000 prisoners of the Second World War. You can visit the wooded grounds independently or as part of a public guided tour. In the underground museum and in the reconstructed courtyard, audio guides in Dutch or English provide information about the camp’s history. The visit thus combines the experience of the wooded grounds with historical information at two other locations within the memorial.
Discover more destinations: Amersfoort, Hoogland, Montfoort, Bunschoten, Veenendaal, Eemnes, Breukelen, Maarssen.
For the main travel overview: Utrecht.
