Zaltbommel, tourist information

The Kerkstraat in Zaltbommel

Hanseatic city Zaltbommel is a historic, small, but very cozy fortified town with just under 12.000 inhabitants. The fortified city still has a city gate and beautiful star-shaped city walls.

The city is located on the island of De Bommelerwaard and can be reached via 4 permanent river connections. In the year 850 the city of Bommel was already talked about and in the 13th century it received its city rights.

The Oenselstraat in Zaltbommel

Zaltbommel is located on the river Waal, at the place where salt from the sea was still observed. That is where the Zalt part comes from the name Zaltbommel and bommel comes from the word orchard, the name Zaltbommel actually means salty orchard. The city is simply called Bommel by the residents.

In the year 850 there is already a settlement on the site of Zaltbommel and in 1315 the city received city rights, after which it grew into an important trading city with membership to the Hanseatic League.

The Gasthuisstraat in Zaltbommel

If you like cultural heritage, you can enjoy yourself in Zaltbommel. As said before, it is an old and cozy town on an island. Because it is an old, still existing city, there is enough cultural heritage left.

On the Markt, the central square, there are beautiful old buildings. Here is the town hall, And the houses of the Philips family. The special thing in Zaltbommel are the gutter ghosts, which can also be seen right away on the Market. These gutter ghosts can be seen throughout the city and are located in the gutters, these are terrazzo figurines made by Joris Baudoin. These gutter ghosts tell something about the history of the building on which a gutter ghost sits, for example there is a gutter ghost with glasses in the gutter of an optician.

There is also a beautiful old city castle in Zaltbommel, which used to be used as a home and is now a museum (see photo at the top and under Parks/Nature). Part of Zaltbommel's history can be seen in this museum and Jip and Janneke can be found on the top floor, these were conceived in Zaltbommel. The 70 meter high Sint Maartenskerk can already be seen from the Stadskasteel, this beautiful tower was already full of gunpowder during the 2nd World War, but luckily they were able to stop the explosion. Around the church it is also worth looking at the buildings and taking a short trip towards the river, here you have a nice view of the new bridge of the highway.

There are still statues on the boulevard, including one of Jip and Janneke walking their dog (see photo under culture below). From the boulevard you can go back to the market through a beautiful old gate with beautiful buildings all around

The Waterstraat in Zaltbommel

If you just want to go shopping, Zaltbommel is not recommended. There are some shops, but more to serve the convenience of the residents. Close to good shopping is possible s-Hertogenbosch or in Utrecht.

Zaltbommel
Shopping evening: Friday

Shopping Sunday:
Click here for the current shopping Sundays

The City Castle of Zaltbommel

Zaltbommel also has something to offer in the cultural field, there is a theater hall, music school, the Stadskasteel Zaltbommel and Slot Loevestein.

The Singelwal in Zaltbommel

Zaltbommel has a quiet rural area in a bustling environment with large cities and rivers nearby. You can walk around the city center in the greenery over the historic city walls in star shape, there is even a guided tour possible over the city walls. The city walls of Zaltbommel have been designated a national monument by the government and hard work is currently being done to restore the walls. Click here for the website with more information about the city walls.

To the west of the city there is Kloosterwiel Nature Reserve and to the east of the city Kil van Hurwenen Nature Reserve. You can also enjoy a lovely walk along the river Waal, so for nature lovers there is plenty of greenery and water in Zaltbommel.

Zaltbommel Market

Zaltbommel does have some cozy cafes and restaurants, but for this area it is better to move towards the large cities nearby such as s-Hertogenbosch of Utrecht.