Zeeland (NL) - Part 9 - Veere

Veere is always worth a visit! The town has really become my favorite place during this holiday. What defines the place? An old town centre, an idyllic marina, a pretty windmill, a white drawbridge, narrow cobblestone streets... The historic market, which takes place every Tuesday in summer, is also worth seeing. Although there are an incredible number of tourists in Veere, the market people sell their goods in traditional costumes and you can admire old handicrafts.

The name Veere comes from veer (ferry), because where the town is today there was a ferry across to Campen (today Kamperland) in the 13th century. At first, the fishermen settled there. Fishing provided a good income. Merchants followed and trade flourished. Veere was even able to secure the staple rights for Scottish goods. This meant that all products from Scotland went ashore in Veere and were sold on from there. The Scots had their own houses on the quay and traded in sheep's wool, salmon, leather and hides. The Scottish houses are still standing today and one can be seen today as Museum Veere.

The former town hall on the market is a magnificent late Gothic building, built between 1474 and 1517. Here you can still admire the courtroom, the former council chamber and the mayor's room. Penitent stones hang outside at the town hall. They are black and white and weigh around 15 kg. The convict had to put it on and then carry it around the village by the neck.