Lek en Lingeroute

Start-Intro

A little explanation spoken in Dutch, about what we can expect this trip. 

Leerdam

Leerdam is known nationwide for its glassblowing. Glass was first blown here in 1765. In the National Glass Museum (we pass the museum) you can see a glassblower at work almost daily. The town itself is much older. It used to be part of the personal possession of William of Orange and Princess Beatrix is ​​still Countess of Leerdam. If you leave the route here and drive into the center, there are various sights such as the Hofje van mevrouw Van Aerden from 1770 with a garden and courtyard. De regentenkamer contains a valuable collection of 17th-century paintings. The Grote Kerk also shows history as do the monuments in the Kerkstraat.

Castle Heukelum

On the right after the roundabout lies the moated Heukelum Castle, which was robbed of its glory by French troops in 1672. A crenelated tower from the 14th century gives the somewhat stiff 18th-century house a touch of romance (viewing is by appointment only).

City Wall Heukelum

The old center of Heukelum used to be walled and moated. In 2013, the restoration of this dilapidated city wall was started on citizen initiative and was completed in 2017.

Fort Asperen

After the lock, the first road on the right is Fort Asperen. To protect themselves against the Geldersen, the Counts of Holland spent a lot of money on the defense of medieval Asperen. But even these walls, gates, and towers were no match for the troops of Karel van Gelre (1517) and the French army (1672). The rampart was largely restored. In the late Gothic cruciform church (15th century), restored after a fire, a mural (1609) behind the organ shows the attack by the Gelderse troops (Sat. 14:30-16:30).

Fort Asperen, on the other side of the road, was part of the New Dutch Waterline, a 19th-century inundation belt around the Randstad. Asperen, now called KunstFort, was one of the first waterline forts with cultural activities, a precursor to the now beautifully developed Waterline (Apr-Sept Wed-Sun 11.00-16.30; tavern also open in winter, when bats hibernate in the fort).

Fort Everdingen

Fort Everdingen has been transformed into a ‘Fort Brewery’ with a specialty beer brewery Duits & Lauret. In addition to the brewery, there is also a tasting room, shop (D&L specialty beer, beer mustard, beer vinegar, and beer cheese), and a nature campsite. There are guided tours of the brewery and fort tours.

Hagenstein

Due to the diversion we now drive through Hagenstein. Here lies Het Motormuseum Hagestein with a collection of 224 motorcycles. The oldest motorcycle is a Daimler, which dates from the year of construction in 1885. When you follow the original route you will pass through Vianen, a quiet commuter town. In the 15th century, the Lordship of Vianen came into the possession of the Brederode family and played an important role in the battle between Holland and Utrecht. The monuments such as the Lekpoort, on the north side, and the town hall are both from this period.

Piece along the Lek

Here we drive a beautiful stretch along the Lek, including through Nieuwpoort.

Nieuwpoort

Nieuwpoort was founded in the 13th century and was located on the border of Holland and Utrecht. During the numerous border conflicts, the town was plundered and looted at every turn. After the disastrous year of 1672, the Prince of Orange decided to strengthen Nieuwpoort and make it part of the Old Dutch Waterline. The fortifications have recently been restored to their former glory. The town hall from 1697 with its dome tower is interesting to see.

Giessen/Oude Kerk

We have now crossed the Lek back to the Linge.

It's going to rain

It is getting dark quickly and it is starting to rain. We are now 30 km from the endpoint. So you still have the last 30 km to go. :-)