What is now one long shopping experience, was once the most elite street of Amersfoort. And you can still see that in the facades and beautiful buildings that line this street. Come, I'll take you back in time.
Amersfoort's longest shopping street has been an important street in our city since the 13th century. It was once a thoroughfare whose both sides were closed by a gate. One near the Varkensmarkt (the Rodetorenpoort aka Utrecht Binnenpoort) and on the other side was the Viepoort, better known as the Kamperbinnenpoort. Fun fact: at the Rodepoortsbrug you can still find an original sprengel with which people used to collect water from the canal.
foto van archief Eemland
A big mud mess
Langestraat crosses two Amersfoort canals: Langegracht and Kortegracht. Although the oldest mention of the name Langestraat dates back to 1342, it was not always called that. At least not the entire street. The part between the Vismarkt and Varkensmarkt was first called the Rodetorenstraat, named after that gate above. Later, this part was called De Breul, Breulstraat or Broyel, meaning low-lying marshy land. Yup, the street was unpaved and quite a mud mess. The middle had a rather special name. Here stood the Holy Ghost Chapel and that's why the street was called: the Holy Ghost.
Amersfoort elite
For centuries, Langestraat was a fancy place. Because this is where the Amersfoort elite resided. And you can still see that in the beautiful buildings and facades that were built here. When in the late 19th and early 20th centuries many residents left for villas outside the city center, the properties were sold to shopkeepers. In the 1960s, Langestraat grew into the shopping street we know today.
foto van archief Eemland
From horse-drawn streetcar to car-free
From 1905 to 1910, a genuine horse-drawn streetcar ran along Langestraat. And until the late 1950s, you were allowed to whizz along with your car. But as more and more people could afford a car, this led to a lack of space in the shopping street. After the construction of the City Ring, downtown became increasingly car-free and Langestraat became pedestrianized. So no naughty Amersfoorters, you're really not allowed to bike there during the day!
foto van archief Eemland
Look up
Walking along Langestraat, the following properties are worth stopping at. The unique facade of the national monument at 9 Langestraat. And at 11 the stepped gable, with mosaic, ornamental anchors and masks and a skin-bearing lion. The Lutheran Church at number 61, which you can still visit on Saturdays and regularly serves as an exhibition and concert space. Langestraat 113 and 115 with their striking heads. And officially at Zevenhuizen 1, but a real eye-catcher when walking on Langestraat: the 16th-century building where Café In den Grooten Slock can now be found.
This is just a sampling of the beautiful facades, decorations and buildings. So be sure to look up as you walk down Langestraat while shopping. Are you looking for nice shopping addresses or cozy places for lunch, dinner or a quick bite? Of course I collected those for you too.