Thursday Doors – Gouda Doors with a History

Doors with a History

My twelfth  entry to Norms Thursday Doors. Doors with a History. I live in Gouda, The Netherlands. Gouda is an old City in the centre of Holland, close to the Port of Rotterdam. I am a proud citizen of this ages old City. So instead of dreaming up all kind of facts I better quote Wikipedia.

Around the year 1100, the area where Gouda now is located was swampy and covered with a peat forest, crossed by small creeks such as the Gouwe. Along the shores of this stream near the current market and city hall, peat harvesting began in the 11th and 12th centuries. In 1139, the name Gouda is first mentioned in a statement from the Bishop of Utrecht.

In the 13th century, the Gouwe was connected to the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) by means of a canal and its mouth at the Hollandse IJssel was developed into a harbour. Castle Gouda was built to protect this harbour. This shipping route was used for trade between Flanders and France with Holland and the Baltic Sea. In 1272, Floris V, Count of Holland, granted city rights to Gouda, which by then had become an important location. City-canals or grachten were dug and served as transport ways through the town.

Great fires in 1361 and 1438 destroyed the city. In 1572, the city was occupied by Les Gueux (Dutch rebels against the Spanish King) who also committed arson and destruction. In 1577 the demolition of Castle Gouda began.

In 1574, 1625, 1636, and 1673, Gouda suffered from deadly plague epidemics, of which the last one was the most severe: 2995 persons died, constituting 20% of its population.

In the last quarter of the 16th century, Gouda had serious economic problems. It recovered in the first half of the 17th century and even prospered between 1665 and 1672. But its economy collapsed again when war broke out in 1672 and the plague decimated the city in 1673, even affecting the pipe industry. After 1700, Gouda enjoyed a period of progress and prosperity until 1730. Then another recession followed, resulting in a long period of decline that lasted well into the 19th century. Gouda was one of the poorest cities in the country during that period: the terms “Goudaner” and “beggar” were considered synonymous.

Right. Back to me. The door in this weeks #Thursdaydoors is the entrance of a small Candle Shop. besides being famous for cheese Gouda is also world famous for the manufacturing of Candles. ‘Gouda Kaarsen’ are used in numerous Cathedrals around the world. And yes, even the St-Peter in Rome uses them.

The house is build in 1500. This Candle Shop is not that old.The current owner runs the shop since 1970. It is a dying craft. Sadly. But: being a Goudaner means that I have to beg something… So please come to Gouda when visiting Holland and pay a visit! You’re welcome 🙂

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