Leerdam: Glass Art, City History and Trails along the Linge
Accommodation in Leerdam
Leerdam lies on the Linge River and combines glass art, city history and trails through green surroundings. If you are planning a holiday apartment in Leerdam, you will find a range of ideas for day trips here: museum visits, themed trails, longer hikes and historic sites can be prioritised according to your interests.
Glass, City History and Special Places
More than 60 percent of the Nationaal Glasmuseum's collection consists of applied-art products from N.V. Glasfabriek Leerdam dating from 1878 to the present day. The collection is permanently on display in the Transparant Depot. The Nationaal Glasmuseum is also the only museum in the Netherlands specialising in glass – a clear focal point for your stay.
At the Glasblazerij in Leerdam, you can watch glassblowers at work. The Glasblazerij is located in a former woodshed on the Zuidwal in the centre of Leerdam and is part of the Nationaal Glasmuseum. The Glasroute Leerdam leads from the museum via the Zuidwal to the Glasblazerij in around 20 minutes on foot, passing various glass-related sights with views of the Linge.
The town's history is also immediately visible in its streetscape. Leerdam's old town wall is a listed monument. At the Zuidwal, it borders the Linge; this is where the most important surviving remains of the fortifications can be found. Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden stands on the site where Leerdam Castle once stood. As a museum, it houses a collection of 17th-century Dutch masters, including a work by Frans Hals, and combines 18th-century Dutch solidity with French elegance and a touch of Rococo.
Striking details include the lower tower of Molen Ter Leede and the Muizentorentjes. The lower tower is clad in black tarred, horizontally boarded planks, making it the only surviving example of its kind in the region. The Muizentorentjes are still inhabited or in use. The glass ornaments for the Glasstad Leerdam were designed in 1995 by visual artist Han Goan Liem; they are made of coloured glass and neon.
Hiking Trails and Active Days
There are various options for walks. The 16.7-kilometre hiking route along the Linge passes through historic towns such as Leerdam and Asperen. Rondje Leerdam is a hiking trail through Leerdam and its green surroundings, passing the Grote Wielsloot and Recht van ter Leede nature areas. The different trail lengths make it easier to plan your day.
TOP Leerdam is a starting point for hiking, cycling or boating. This means you can experience the town not only through its museums and monuments, but also through physical activity and the water. Bus services connect Leerdam with Utrecht and Gorinchem; Leerdam also has a railway station with train connections towards Dordrecht and Geldermalsen.
Holiday Apartment in Leerdam for Culture and Active Pursuits
When choosing a holiday apartment in Leerdam, you can consider whether you would like to focus on glass art, historic sites, walks or active days. The Glasblazerij, the Zuidwal, the Linge, the Nationaal Glasmuseum and the hiking trails offer clearly distinct points of interest.
The Grote Kerk van Leerdam is the oldest building in Leerdam. During the summer, it is open three afternoons a week; guided tours take place on eight Saturday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. This makes the church another established point of interest, complementing the museums and the town's history.
Further places for orientation: Kedichem, Oosterwijk, Leerdam.
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Leerdam.
