Top sights
Great Church
The Grote Kerk (Great Church), also known as Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady), is an important and recognisable landmark in Dordrecht. This impressive piece of architecture can be seen at many places in the city. The inside of the church is also worth seeing: you will find monuments, chapels and choir stalls. Fun Fact: the tower is very leaning and was actually supposed to be 108 metres, but due to the leaning it remained at 65 metres. Climbing the 275 steps of this landmark provides another must-see: a view of the entire city. Check the website Grote Kerk for detailed visitor information.
Straatman
Screw dock Straatman is a striking national monument dating from 1928. It belonged to the Machinefabriek L. Straatman Ketelmakerij, which was located at the Kuipershaven from 1902 till 1996. The dock was used to lift ships partly out of the water so that the ship's rudders and propellers could be repaired or replaced from floating, wooden platforms. The hoist is a rare example of an early twentieth-century facility for ship repair in an inland harbour. The detailed design and the use of materials contribute to the building's historical value. The dock is still in operation, which makes it a living monument!
House of Gijn
This unique place takes you back in time. Huis Van Gijn is a museum in the former residence of Simon van Gijn (1836 - 1922). Discover life 100 years ago in this special still life of a family on the estate around 1900. It is so well preserved that it seems as if the residents could return at any time.
That the previous occupant, Simon, was a collector is evident from all the stuff. Fortunately, he stipulated in his will that it was to be made public after his death. Imagine yourself in a household from around 1900 during a visit to this time machine.
Narrowest house and street
This house at Voorstraat 265 is the narrowest house in Dordrecht. The house is only 280 centimetres wide, making it a special place in the city. In the same street is its successor: the house on the Voorstraat 113 is eight centimetres wider. You would think that a narrow house would not be so conspicuous, but precisely because of the contrast with the large white houses next door, this (slightly less) hidden gem stands out.
Also fun: the narrowest street in Dordrecht is Keizershofstraat, only 72 centimetres wide.
Stokholm
The 'Stokholm' building has its front on the Wolwevershaven, dug in 1609, and its back on the Oude Maas river. It stands out because of the many red shutters at the front. It owes its name to the person who commissioned its construction, the Stockholm-born merchant Anthony de Bruijn. The warehouse has served as a grain store for several centuries and has an enormous capacity.
Handkerchief house
This bagbearer's house dates from the 17th century. Until 1950, it was the guildhall of the mazelaars, or bag carriers. The bagbearers met here to divide up the work. After ringing the bell, which still hangs there today, the carriers could play dice to divide the work. In small boats, they unloaded the sea-going vessels that had dropped anchor on the Maas. P.s.: now you can also stay in this cute little house full of history.
