The Miracle of Amersfoort
Pilgrimage & Beer City
In 1444, Amersfoort was completely turned upside down by the discovery of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Pilgrims came by the thousands to the city to witness the miracle with their own eyes. It made Amersfoort a prosperous place of pilgrimage.
Besides being a place of pilgrimage, Amersfoort was also one of the most important beer cities in the Netherlands in the late Middle Ages. This reputation is still upheld by the many local breweries in our city. One example is Brewery 't Mirakel. While brewing their beer called "Het Visioen," the makers wondered what remained of that miraculous statue of Mary. They made a mini-docu of this search for the missing statue that you can watch exclusively at Visit amersfoort.
Walk the Miracle Walk Route!
Inspired by this documentary, we have created a Miracle Walking Route. In this route we connect the past and the present of Amersfoort in a unique way. This way you will discover Amersfoort like never before!
1. The Scheltussingel
We begin our tour at the Conincksbrug along Scheltussingel. Near this spot, Geertje Arends threw the statue of Mary into the Eem just before Christmas in 1444. Geertje had traveled from Nijkerk to Amersfoort to enter the St. Agnietenklooster (or St. Aegtenklooster). She only found the statue too ugly to take with her to the monastery. Therefore, just before arriving, she decided to throw the figurine away.
2. Bastion
From the Conincksbrug the medieval city wall can be seen. We follow these remains through Plantsoen Noord until we reach the Bastion on Sint Annastraat. This is a historical landmark and thus very appropriate for this route!
3. St. Rochus Chapel
Instead of going directly to shopping area De Kamp, we recommend you turn right one street earlier. Now you are on Poth Street. At first this looks like an ordinary residential area, but at the end of this street sits a special place, namely the St. Rochus Chapel on the Hofje. This idyllic spot houses an oasis of history, tranquility and Amersfoort cuteness!
4. The Camp
Turn left at the end of Pothstraat. Walk a little further and you will arrive at shopping area the Kamp. On your right you will see the magnificent Kamperbinnenpoort. First it's time to feast your eyes on De Kamp! There are some very nice stores here, such as the Toy Warehouse. There is also no shortage of nice restaurants here. Our recommendations are Theefeestje and Anna's Smaakatelier. At the latter you can enjoy delicacies made by Anna Yilmaz, known from Heel Holland Bakt.
Did you know...
There also once existed a Kamperbuitenpoort? Here maid Margriet Albert Gijsen found the little statue of Mary that Geertje had thrown away. Margriet had received three visions that told her to look under the ice at this spot in the moat. She took the statue of the Virgin Mary home and lit a candle in front of it. This candle burned three times longer than normal. The miracle of Amersfoort was thus born!
5. Café Den Grooten Slock
It's time to walk into the center through the Crested Gate. Welcome to Langestraat! If your plan is to go shopping, then you are definitely in the right place here. For this route, we walk down Langestraat until we arrive at Café Den Grooten Slock. This is the second oldest café in Amersfoort. Several recordings were also made here for the mini-docu of Brewery't Mirakel. This is an excellent time to warm up with a bitter snack and a nice locally brewed craft beer!
6. Our Lieve Vrouwetoren
Now that the battery has been recharged, there is plenty of shopping on Langestraat again. For this route, we make a final stop at Boekhandel Veenendaal. Opposite this bookstore is the entrance to Lieve Vrouwestraat. Walk down this street and you come out on one of the nicest squares of the Keistad. Full of nice restaurants, such as Anne's Streetfood & Bar, Long John's Pub and Stadscafé. About the real eye-catcher there is no discussion: that is of course the Lieve Vrouwetoren!
Did you know...
The found statue of Mary had such an impact on Amersfoort that only 22 years after it was found, a church was built for it: the Church of Our Lady. The building was destroyed by an explosion decades later. Only the tower could be saved... You know it, of course, as the Our Lieve Vrouwetoren!
7. Flehite Museum
With the OLV tower at your back, continue along the Lieve Vrouwestraat until you emerge at the Langegracht. Further down this street you will find the Elleboogkerk, which regularly hosts pop-up exhibits from a museum. Turn right and walk along the canal. You immediately see a wondrous building: Museum Flehite. This house for art and history in Amersfoort plays an important role in the mini-docu and is highly recommended for anyone with a love of art from the past and present!
8. Kafé Van Zanten
After completing this walking tour, you are undoubtedly ready for a fitting finale. Near Museum Flehite you will find Kafé Van Zanten. Besides a café, Van Zanten also has a restaurant where you can have a nice dinner. Of course, Van Zanten also has a large assortment of locally brewed beers!