Doesburg, tourist information

The Boekholtstraat in Doesburg

In the middle of the province of Gelderland you will find the nice cozy town of Doesburg. The city is located in a green environment and is a fortress and Hanseatic city. The population of Doesburg is approximately 11.330 and has 158 national monuments. Then you can go shopping in this city or enjoy the many cultural heritage that Doesburg has to offer.

(If you want to know more about fortified cities, check out our special page Fortified towns?. Or do you want to know more about Hanseatic cities? check out our special page Hanseatic cities?)

Monumental buildings Koepoortstraat Doesburg from the year 1649

As mentioned before, Doesburg is a nice fortified city, which you can clearly see in this city.

Doesburg received city rights in the year 1237, the reason for this was that this city was very strategically located. Namely on the Oude-IJssel.

The city also functioned as a fortified city for a long time, and Doesburg was also one of the 5 voting cities of the Statenkwartier of Zutphen.

Doesburg also acquired a very important economic function as the capital of the Richterambt van Doesburg.

The city had a lot of prosperity, but unfortunately this declined in the 15th century. Doesburg had a lot to do with military violence. One of the examples of this is the war with the Geuzen. These invaded Doesburg in the year 1575.

The Geuzen had sacked the city and in 1606 the Spaniards came under the command of general Ambrogio Spinola. The Spanish troops moved into the city. To deceive state General Maurits van Nassau (Prince of Orange). As if he will attack Deventer. the Spaniards were defeated in the Battle of the Berkumer Bridge. As a result, the Doesburger defenses were considerably improved, which happened in the years 1606 to 1629.

But the French also invaded Doesburg, which happened in the year 1672 and occupied the city until 1674. During the French occupation, the fortifications of Doesburg received a major update, which was realized by Menno van Coehoorn.

In the Second World War, the city was quickly taken by the Germans who also wreaked havoc there for 5 years. Unfortunately, the Germans have blown up beautiful monuments, including the Martinikerk, the Mauris barracks and the water tower. Finally, the mill was also destroyed.

Because Doesburg was a fortified town until 1923, urban expansion was unfortunately not possible. The rebuilding of the Martinikerk started and was completed in the 50s and 60s.

The Horse Market in Doesburg

Because the city is of course a fortified city, there are still a few things you can admire. One of the special sights in the old town hall of Doesburg. You must also see the Martinikerk and the Gasthuiskerk. You must also have seen the weigh house and the city walls.

The Kerkstraat in Doesburg

In Doesburg you can find your daily shopping needs, there are 2 shopping streets in the fortified town. Doesburg you can visit the Kerkstraat that overflows into the Meipoortstraat it is NO real shopping city.

if you want to go shopping well, you can move to the cozy Arnhem which is 26> km away from Doesburg or you can divert to
Apeldoorn this town is 30> km away from Doesburg.

If you want to go shopping historically, you can take a look at Hanseatic city of Zutphen
this historic town is located 20 km> from Doesburg.

Shopping evening Doesburg:
Friday:

the Regional Museum de Roode Tooren in Doesburg

The town of Doesburg can also do fun things in the field of Activities, for example, visit one of the museums or explore the Martini Church of Doesburg. You can also climb the tower, the tower is 94 meters high. It is also the largest church tower in our province of Gelderland.

River IJssel from the IJsselkade in Doesburg

Enjoying nature? that is possible in and near Doesburg. This city is surrounded by forest, because Doesburg is located near the Veluwezoom National Park. You can also enjoy a nice walk on the city walls of Doesburg or get a breath of fresh air on the beautiful river IJssel.

Market in Doesburg

In the city itself you can grab a terrace for the real step work, we recommend Arnhem to this is 26>km away from Doesburg.