History & Heritage
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...
Sinterklaas treats in Jan Steen’s 17th century painting
Did you know that the famous Dutch painter Jan Steen already shows 'kruidnoten' (ginger nuts) in one of his paintings from 1668?
Nieuw Holland and Nieuw Zeeland
Did you know that Dutch explorers named Oceania's largest landmass and the two islands to the southeast respectively Nieuw Holland and Nieuw Zeeland? Today...
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...
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...
The wooden shoe village of Overijssel
Did you know that the village of Enter is considered the 'wooden shoe village' of Overijssel? Around the turn of the 20th century the...
Horse-drawn tramway between The Hague and Scheveningen
Did you know that the first horse-drawn tramway in the Netherlands dates back to 1864? This service operated between The Hague and Scheveningen until...
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?...
Sleeping in a box bed
Did you know that back in the days entire families slept in one and the same box bed? They were also sleeping in sitting...
Tipsy buildings in Amsterdam
Did you know that not all buildings with uneven levels in Amsterdam are slanting outwards, backwards or sideways because of the unstable swampy foundation?...