Dordrecht

The name Dordrecht comes from Thuredrith, an inhabitable spot near the river Thure. Some documentation speaks of a river actually called Thuredrith.

The municipality covers the Dordrecht Island, on the northwest of which the city is located.

Dordrecht has ship building, wood and metal industry, and a minor sea harbour.

During Carnaval, Dordrecht is called Ooi- en Ramsgat (Ewe's and Ram's hole), and its inhabitants are Schapenkoppen (Sheepheads). Throughout the year, tourists can buy sheep related souvenirs. This name originates from an old folk story about tax evasion. Import of meat or beef cattle was taxed in the 17th century. Two men dressed a sheep they bought outside the city walls to make it look like a man. The sheep was uncovered because it bleated as the three men (two men and one sheep) passed through the city wall gate.

Inhabitants of Dordrecht are Dordtenaren (singular: Dordtenaar). Dordrecht is informally called Dordt.

Places of interest:

• river quay and Groothoofds Gate
• Grote Kerk (Big Church) with uncompleted tower
• canals
• merchant houses

• Part of HTM is SVD, the city bus company of Dordrecht, also serving Werkendam, and also operating the Kop van 't Land ferry on the way.

• Fast Ferry:
• *Rotterdam Willemskade - Krimpen aan den IJssel Stormpolder - Ridderkerk De Schans - Alblasserdam Kade - Dordrecht Merwekade.

• Waterbus:
• *Dordrecht Hooikade - Zwijndrecht Veerplein - Dordrecht Merwekade - Papendrecht Veerdam - Papendrecht Oosteind - Hollandse Biesbosch - Sliedrecht Middeldiep
  

  History

In 1572, representants of all cities from Holland gathered in Dordrecht to declare their independence of Spain and acknowledge William of Orange as the leader of the fletchling Dutch state. In 1618/1619, an important religious meeting took place, called the synod of Dordt, deciding between two main factions in the Dutch reformed church, and planning for the Statenvertaling, the first Dutch Bible translation. In the 18th century, the importance of Dordrecht started to diminish, and Rotterdam became the main city in the region.

Places to go to in Dordrecht

External links