Loenen aan de Vecht is a heritage-listed town in the province of Utrecht. Sail or drive to this humble place for a glimpse of every-day Dutch life outside of the major cities that surround it and see the best of its nearly 150 protected state monuments.
Start your explorations at one of the town’s most striking features, the Cronenburgherbrug. Cross this little drawbridge then observe from a distance how the bridge opens and closes again with every sailing boat that passes.
Another gem is Molen De Hoop, a typical Dutch flour mill. When you see the little blue flag on its sails, take a peek inside this still working mill to see its inner workings.
The earliest recording of Loenen as a place was in 953, when emperor Otto I gifted the church some estates along this section of the River De Vecht. In the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, the area attracted rich people from Amsterdam, who yearned for a weekend or vacation home in a more spacious setting. Visit Bijdorp to see a good example of one such country retreat.
Step inside the Grote Kerk (Great Church). The tower you see today is a replica from the original 1320 addition to the medieval church. Look closely and you’ll see that this 184-foot (56-meter) high structure has a definite lean to it.
Cross the bridge and head north along the Oud Over road to find De Glashut. This collection of workers cottages of a former Glass Factory used to house German laborers. It’s now a national monument. Head in the opposite direction along the river to stroll the sprawling grounds of Landgoed Vrederijk, owned by a former Dutch banker but open to the public.
If you want to see more historic sights like these, follow the white-and-red markings of the Floris V-Trail in either direction. This long-distance walking trail with heritage features runs from Amsterdam to Bergen op Zoom, a distance of 152 miles (244.5 kilometers).
Loenen aan de Vecht’s typical Dutch character and wealth of heritage buildings make it a charming place to visit for a few hours if you are staying in Utrecht.
