Doesburg Town Hall (Stadhuis)

Doesburg is a small town on the river IJssel, in the east of Gelderland, close to the point where the Oude IJssel joins the main river, and it is one of the oldest fortified towns in the region. It received city rights in the thirteenth century, became a member of the Hanseatic League and grew rich as a river port and trading place. Although much of the old defensive system has gone, the compact centre still has its medieval street pattern, a number of fine historic buildings and a distinctive character, shaped by the river and by its long history as a trading post.

The Stadhuis, the town hall, is the main civic building. It belongs to the late medieval period, and the town hall's architecture reflects the Gothic style that dominated Dutch civic building in the fifteenth century, with brick walls, pointed or arched windows and stepped gables, although the building has been altered and restored in later centuries. In a town of this size, the town hall was the centre of administration and justice, where the council met, taxes were set and disputes judged, and it was usually placed in the middle of the market place so that it could be seen by all. A town hall was a symbol of the town's independence and of the pride of its citizens.

Today the building is used mainly for municipal functions and private events, so the interior is not generally open to the public, and visitors can admire it from outside. It is easy to find on foot, and it stands among cobbled streets and historic houses, in a pedestrian-friendly part of the centre. There is no charge to look at it, and the surroundings give a good impression of what a small Hanseatic town felt like.

Other sights lie close by. The Waag, the old weigh house, recalls the importance of trade, and the Koepoort, a surviving town gate, is one of the best-known monuments of Doesburg. The tower of the Martinikerk rises above the roofs, and the town is famous for its mustard, a local speciality that has been made here for centuries and can be bought in shops. A small number of galleries show local art, and the river dyke offers views of the IJssel and the meadows beyond.

The Stadhuis suits history and architecture lovers and anyone exploring the IJssel towns by bike. A look takes a few minutes, and a stroll around the centre takes an hour or two. Doesburg is reached by bus from Arnhem and Zutphen.