Wijk Bij Duurstede Village Center

The centre of Wijk bij Duurstede is a small, walkable medieval town on the Lek, in the province of Utrecht, and it has a history out of proportion to its size. Just to the east of the present town lay Dorestad, a major trading centre of the early Middle Ages that was one of the richest ports in Europe during the Carolingian period and was repeatedly raided by the Vikings in the ninth century. Little is visible of the old port today, but the story gives the town a deeper dimension, and archaeological finds are displayed in museums.

The later town grew up on the Rhine, in a place where the river had a crossing and where the bishops of Utrecht and the lords of the surrounding region built a castle. Kasteel Duurstede, now a picturesque ruin surrounded by a moat, stands in the middle of the town and is the most prominent landmark. Parts of the old walls and towers can be seen, and the grounds are open as a park, a pleasant place to rest or have a picnic. The remains give a sense of the importance of the castle in the Middle Ages.

The streets of the centre are cobbled, with a mix of old houses, small shops, galleries and cafes. The town describes itself as an artists' town, and there are a number of galleries and studios that show local work. Key buildings include the Stadhuis, the town hall, the Grote Kerk, or Sint-Pancratiuskerk, with its Gothic tower, and the Leuterpoort, a surviving city gate. A windmill stands on one of the old bastions of the town's fortifications and gives the skyline a classic Dutch element.

The riverside is the other attraction. Walks along the Lek and the Kromme Rijn path lead to quiet stretches of water, and bicycle tours take in the castles and farmhouses of the surrounding countryside. Cyclists can follow dike roads through the orchards that make this part of the region known for its fruit, and in spring the blossom is a highlight. The town hosts a market on certain days and events through the summer.

The village centre suits history lovers, cyclists and visitors who enjoy small towns. It is an easy day trip from Utrecht, about half an hour by bus or bike. Spend an hour in the centre, add a walk by the river, and consider a visit to the castle ruins and the church.