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Although there is no doubt that it has been the cheeses that bear his name that have given international fame to the town of Gouda (pronounced jauda, ​​with a rough and sonic jota), this small and picturesque city of South Holland has other Many attractions to delight your visitors.

In fact, the first thing that surprises when arriving is to discover that cheeses have never been made in the city, since they have always been produced in the surrounding villages, where some 300 farms that follow the traditional process are still maintained , using milk from unpasteurized cow to get a more intense flavor.

If the name of Gouda was irremediably linked to the cheeses of the region, it was because, from the Middle Ages and until the end of the 20th century, the town exclusively enjoyed the privilege of trading with them in a colorful market that today remains a tourist attraction -Every Thursday, from April to August- in the central Plaza del Markt. Also there still stands De Goudse Waag, the house of the Public Balance , a 17th century building where the colorful orange cheeses and other products were weighed. Today it is open to the public as a museum, and also houses the Tourist Office.

The square of Markt.J. GARCÍA BLANCO

Another of Markt's landmarks, impossible to ignore because it occupies the center of the great square, is the building of the old Town Hall, built in that peculiar location to prevent it from falling victim to the flames, as happened to the previous session. Built in Gothic style, you can access its interior -if there are no weddings or other events- to contemplate its beautiful architecture, although its exterior, and in particular its nice carriage with puppets , possess an undeniable charm.

A step away from the Market Square stands the other jewel of Gouda's architecture, the Sint-Janskerk (St. John's Church. The colorful temple has two reasons to show off: it is the longest church in Holland (it measures 123 meters, and it was built that way because it was erected in swampy terrain) and has spectacular stained glass windows (72 in total, almost all original) famous worldwide.

THE DUTCH GOFRE

The typical waffles.

If you travel to Gouda you have to try their cheeses - there is no excuse, because the most exquisite are not usually exported - but it is not the only typical product that is made here. Another of the culinary wonders of the city is the stroopwafel , the Dutch waffle, consisting of two thin cookies filled with tasty caramel. This delicious candy was invented in Gouda at the end of the 18th century.

It is said that it was a dessert of the lower classes, because it was made taking advantage of crumbs and other remains. Although today it can be found throughout the Netherlands, here it is still elaborated with the original recipe. One of the best places to try them is Van den Berg - Van Vliet (Lange Groenendaal 32), along with a cup of coffee or a glass of waffle syrup liquor. In addition, both here and in other patisseries in the city it is possible to see in person how these delicious sweets are made.

BEER AND TOBACCO PIPE

The traditional tobacco pipes.J. GARCÍA BLANCO

Hops lovers are also in luck. Already in the Middle Ages, Gouda was reputed to produce the best beer in the country (in the fifteenth century there were 200 breweries), an affirmation that anyone can confirm with a visit to the Beer Café De Goudse Eend (in Wilhelminastraat, with a letter with more of one hundred varieties) or in Den Gouwen Aar (Oosthaven 6), a beautiful liquor and beer shop where you can buy the local brand -Gouda Kuit-, which continues to be produced according to an old recipe.

Equally centenary is the artisan tradition of the city, which stands out thanks to its ceramic products, among which the pieces of crockery and, especially, tobacco pipes stand out . These unique creations, authentic works of art made with clay, were introduced by English mercenaries in 1606, giving rise to a striking tradition that survived the arrival of wooden pipes and cigarettes. Today you can see beautiful examples in the Gouda Museum (Achter de Kerk, 14) and in the oldest tobacco shop in the Netherlands, Van Vreumingen (Wijdstraat, 20).

By bike through the center of Gouda.J. GARCÍA BLANCO

Another typical product of local crafts, candles, whose factory was recognized by the Dutch Crown in 1899, meant the industrial takeoff of the city, and today is an essential part of one of the most beautiful and colorful traditions of the town, the Candle Night For over sixty years, and on the occasion of Christmas, the Markt is decorated every year with a huge tree that gives away the Norwegian city of Kongsberg - twinned with Gouda - and that is illuminated with hundreds of lights. The spectacular lighting , which attracts thousands of people, takes place at the beginning of December (this year, Friday the 13th) and to make the picture even more spectacular, the neighbors place in the windows of the houses and in the streets near the Square thousands of candles that create a cozy Christmas atmosphere.

MILLS, CHANNELS AND BIKE RIDES

Windmills. J. GARCÍA BLANCO

Gouda is a perfect city to explore on foot, but we are in Holland, the country of bicycles, so another of the most desirable plans is to visit the town and its surroundings on two wheels. We can rent a bike in Rep. 26 (Nieuwe Haven, 147) and ride quietly along the peaceful canals, or follow some of the different cycling routes that lead to the rural area of ​​Krimpenerwaard.

There, among other activities, it is possible to visit one of the typical windmills, such as those along the banks of the Vlist River, or discover some of the many farms (for example De Twee Hoeven, in Haastrecht) where they are made from Traditionally the tasty cheeses that have made the city and its region immortal. A round and delicious way to complete our visit to Gouda.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Drop down

How to get.

KLM (klm.com) flies to Amsterdam from several Spanish cities. From the capital to Gouda there are trains every 15 minutes.

Where to sleep.

At the Best Western Gouda they have themed suites dedicated to cheese, waffles, candles ... From 87 / night

Where to eat.

The Lichtfabriek Gouda restaurant, located in an old light bulb factory, has a menu prepared by chef Peter van Eijk. From 23 euros

More information. On the website of the Netherlands Tourist Office

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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