Netherlands – Gouda

Of all the buildings I saw in The Netherlands, I reckon the Stadhuis in Gouda was the prettiest. It appears a very delicate structure with symmetric towers at different levels, strong windows, and pleasing statues. The Stadhuis looks clean and well cared for. This building stands in a public square again called Markt.

On the east side of the Stadhuis there is a carillion where the figures perform their orchestrated routine every thirty minutes. The building dates from 1450.

On the north side of Markt is the Goudse Waag where cheeses used to be weighed before being sent for sale. To the south of Markt is St Janskerk mostly dating from the second half of the 16th Century after a fire destroyed the original structure. The church is most famous for the stained-glass windows created by Dirk and Wouter Crabeth between 1555 and 1571. The colours are extraordinarily rich.

Gouda can be easily reached on the train from Rotterdam, Den Haag, and Utrecht.