Zutphen

Zutphen is a Hanseatic trading city on the IJssel river, 27 km north of Arnhem and 24 minutes by direct train. With more than 400 national monuments and 500 locally listed buildings, its medieval streetscape is among the most intact in the Netherlands. The city is known as Torenstad — City of Towers — for the skyline of church towers and fortified gates that has changed remarkably little since the 15th century.

The Librije, housed inside the Walburgiskerk, is one of the few intact medieval chained libraries surviving in the world. Built in 1564, its books were secured with iron chains to prevent theft — 60 keys were distributed among canons and prominent citizens. Guided tours of approximately 40 minutes run hourly, and the Librije can only be seen with a guide. The Walburgiskerk itself dates from the 11th century.

The Berkelpoort — a medieval water gate spanning the Berkel river — is one of the last surviving examples of its type in the Netherlands. The walkable city ramparts offer views over the IJssel floodplain. In summer, electric boat trips run along the Berkel and IJssel rivers from the historic waterfront.