Naarden Town Hall (Stadhuis)

The Stadhuis, the town hall of Naarden, is a small but elegant building from 1601, and it is a fine example of Dutch Renaissance architecture. It stands on the Marktstraat in the centre of the fortified town, and its main feature is a stepped gable, a facade shaped like a staircase, which is a hallmark of the style in the Netherlands. It is a national monument, and it records the confidence of a town that had suffered terribly in the previous generation and was in the process of rebuilding.

Naarden's history was violent. In December 1572, early in the Dutch revolt against Spain, Spanish troops under Don Frederik, the son of the Duke of Alva, captured the town and carried out a massacre of its inhabitants, killing many and burning much of the town. The event was one of the most notorious episodes of the war and was used in propaganda by the rebels. In the years that followed, Naarden was rebuilt, and the new town hall of 1601 is a sign of that recovery.

Later, the town was fortified on an extraordinary scale. In the seventeenth century, it was rebuilt as a fortress town with a star-shaped system of bastions, moats and ramparts, which is still intact and is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. Seen from above, the town forms a perfect eight-pointed star, a geometric design aimed at making the defences as strong as possible. Naarden is therefore a living example of military engineering and town planning.

Inside the town hall, visitors can see the council chamber and a hall that contains a model of the fortress, which helps to understand the layout. The building is open only at certain times, usually at weekends and on public holidays in the main season, and entry is free, so check the schedule before you go. Nearby sights include the Vestingmuseum, which tells the story of the fortress, the Museum Naarden, the Grote Kerk with its famous painted wooden vault and the Comenius Museum and Mausoleum, which honours the Czech educator Jan Amos Comenius, who is buried in the town.

A walk along the ramparts is the best way to see the star shape and enjoy the green moats. The town suits history lovers, walkers and cyclists, and it is a short trip from Amsterdam. Combine the town hall with the fortress museum and a stroll around the town.