Zwolle
Located just northeast of the middle of the Netherlands and capital of the Overijssel province, Zwolle is a small Dutch city with a prominent personality. A canal surrounds the city's center, and the historical gatehouse, Sassenpoort, is a striking sight. Within the city center, there are many things to see. One of my favorite sites is Waanders in de Broeren, a church converted into a bookstore. A highlight is purchasing a travel book and reading it in their coffee shop. The quietness of a bookstore blends with the smell of coffee and views of the church organ. Art also shows itself through murals painted on the street. You can see these projects through the #ditiszwolle. My favorite is the Zonnenbloem. Another great view is the Peperbus, a gothic tower attached to a church called Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption. Although short for a modern city, the Peperbus towers over the other buildings in the city center. The historical atmosphere also blends with international and Dutch food. My favorite place is Visscher Seafood on Melkmarkt, which sells excellent haring sandwiches at an affordable price. Mama Luu also sells some great Vietnamese food, a restaurant my Oma often frequented.
I look forward to visiting Zwolle more often. Not only is it a cute Dutch town, but it's also my mother's hometown. Seeing family, walking around the city center, and learning its unique history make Zwolle come to life. I encourage those who want to skip the crowds of large Dutch cities to visit mijn kleine Zwolle and when exploring be responsible.
Until next time. Doei!
By: Rainier Lee
By: Rainier Lee
