In Goedereede (a photo gallery)

August 25, 2024

Over breakfast I told my host what a charming town Goedereede is, but I was quickly corrected. Goedereede is a city not a town I was told, and it’s the only community on the island with ‘city rights’, so apparently it has governmental significance. Surprising, because with a population of barely 2,000 folks it definitely has more of a small town vibe - you really only need to walk about three blocks to be out of it and in the country watching the corn grow and counting sheep.

It was a more significant spot in the past though. It was a very important city in Roman times and was its primary port in the region in the era when it still functioned as a port before its river started silting up and it lost primacy to nearby Stellendam, situated on the Haringvliet and closer to the sea.

I got the charming part of the description right though because it really is an attractive little place as I discovered from my hour-long walkabout before dinner. It only has two structures of real consequence - the beautifully preserved windmill, built in 1791, and the tower built in 1512 as part of the parish church but then converted to a lighthouse for about five centuries.

Both the tower and windmill are well worth seeing but at least as captivating are its stylish inner city streets lined with beautifully maintained row houses, many of which have artistic displays in their windows and around their entrances that makes them feel l8ke small museum pieces. It makes an ideal spot for a one night stop, small enough that you can do it justice with a before or after dinner crawl.

The Haven Canal, from the drawbridge spanning it in the city center.

The wheel for raising and lowering the drawbridge. I wonder if it’s still functional and used upon occasion.

Pieterstraat. Every property on this and a few of the other inner streets is immaculately maintained. We spoke about this with a woman when we were walking here after dinner. She informed us that it’s by design and the town strives to maintain its historical characte4 as much as possible.

It’s about a five minute walk from the center of town to be out in the farmland to the south.

Around Goedereede. It’s impressive that they’re preserving the character of the rural environment as well as the town itself.

A dramatic sky this evening, one that hints at the possibility of rain.

The Goedereede tower was originally part of the parish church but spent most of its history as a functioning lighthouse.

Even the street surfaces catch your attention.

Market square. I took this shot while waiting around for Rachael to come downstairs for dinner.

The tower again, from a second pass through town with Rachael this time.

Outside the church. The Sunday evening service is on, and apparently most of the congregation arrives by bicycle.

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