Happy TravellerWelcome to Vlaardingen, a picturesque city located in South Holland, Netherlands. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, Vlaardingen is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Situated on the north bank of the Nieuwe Maas river at the confluence with the Oude Maas, Vlaardingen is a city of contrasts, with a bustling modern center and charming historic districts.
The city is divided into a northern part (locally known as the Holy) and a southern part by the A20 motorway. On the east, the city is separated from Schiedam by the A4 motorway. Other places nearby are Maassluis to the west, Schipluiden and Delft to the north, Schiedam and Rotterdam to the east, and Spijkenisse in the southwest, on the other side of the Nieuwe Maas. The A20 connects Rotterdam to Hook of Holland. The Beneluxtunnel (the tunnel that runs under the Nieuwe Waterweg) connects the A20 to the A15.
Vlaardingen has a rich history dating back to 2900 to 2600 BC. In 1018, Vlaardingen was a stronghold of Dirk III, who levied an illegal toll on ships on the Meuse river. An army sent by German Emperor Henry II in order to stop this practice was defeated by Dirk III in the (First) Battle of Vlaardingen. In 1047, his successor Dirk IV repelled another such attack (Second Battle of Vlaardingen). The first of these battles was commemorated in 2018 by a historical reenactment.
Today, Vlaardingen is a thriving city with a diverse economy. A Unilever research center is located in Vlaardingen, and there are still some ship repair businesses in Eastern Vlaardingen beside the Nieuwe Maas River. The Vulcaanhaven was for many years the largest privately owned artificial harbor in the world. There are still some ferry terminals (DFDS Seaways, sailing to Felixstowe and Immingham and P&O Ferries sailing to Hull).
Vlaardingen is also home to many attractions, including historical buildings such as the Grote Kerk (Big Church), the Waag (Weighing Bridge) next to the church, and the old town hall (used for weddings), all on the Markt, the former marketplace, the Visbank (Fish Auction) at the harbor, and the Oude Lijnbaan (Old Ropewalk, where ropes were made). The Grote Kerk was probably established between 1156 and 1164 and has been expanded, damaged, and rebuilt. To the north of the old harbor is the old Aeolus windmill, which operates and sells ground cereals. The harbor is a marina and open-air museum with old ships. At the harbor is the Museum Vlaardingen (before: Visserijmuseum and the Visserij en Vlaardings Museum), a museum dedicated to commercial sea fishing and lore.
Vlaardingen is also known for its events, such as the Vlaardings Loggerfestival (Logger is a traditional ship used for herring fishery, the customary English name is lugger) held on the first Saturday of June. The festival used to be called Haring en Bierfeest (translation: herring and beer festival), but in 2003 the mayor decided to rename it. In 2015, the name Haring en Bierfeest reappeared again. Since 1987, the Geuzenpenning is an award that is yearly bestowed by a local foundation in cooperation with the town’s municipality to human rights activists from all over the world.
Vlaardingen is a city of contrasts, with a rich history and a vibrant modern culture. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s historic landmarks, sampling its delicious local cuisine, or simply soaking up its unique atmosphere, Vlaardingen is a destination that should not be missed. Come and discover all that this enchanting city has to offer!
