History & Heritage
Reenactment of the Eighty Year War
Did you know that each year on 1 April the people of Brielle reenact the capture of the fortification from the Spanish troops during...
Blowing mid-winter horns to ward off evil spirits
Did you know that it is a long time tradition in parts of the rural east of the Netherlands to blow mid-winter horns between...
The very first Dutch individual gold medal at the Olympics
Did you know that the first Dutch individual gold medal at the Olympics was earned by Maurice Peeters (1882-1957)?
The track cyclist won the gold...
4600 year old battle axe found in Amsterdam
Did you know that Amsterdam was officially founded 737 years ago, but has been inhabited since prehistoric times? During recent digging for metro tunnels...
Archaeological gold mine in the heart of Amsterdam
Did you know that the construction of the North/South metro line ('Noord-Zuidlijn' in Dutch) in Amsterdam not only came with a lot of headaches,...
Middelburg Town Hall
Did you know that the interior of the 15th century Town Hall in Middelburg was completely damaged during a fire when the city was...
New York City’s flag
Did you know that the flag of New York City is derived from the flag of the Dutch Republic, as used in 1625 when...
Medieval punishment for money forgers
Did you know that this copper kettle in Deventer was used for cooking money forgers alive in hot oil during the late Middle Ages?...
French painter Monet in the Netherlands
Did you know that French painter Claude Monet and his family spent a few months in Amsterdam and Zaandam in 1871? In this period...
The legendary Elfstedentocht skating tour
Did you know that the second to last rarely raced Elfstedentocht took place 30 years ago today?
Evert van Benthem was the winner of this edition of...