Gorinchem as a city with history. 

Situated near two rivers -The Merwede and the Linge- which split Gorinchem in two parts. In the early days the area where Gorinchem is situated now, was called ''the land of Arkel". They called this area this way because the the noble of Arkel were the owners of this area. Gorinchem has thanks to otto v. Arkel  city rights. They get the city rights in 1382   

The coat of arms of the lords of Arkel.

In 1421 the lords of Arkel leaving Gorinchem

Gorinchem is a fortress with city banks and 4 gates. One of the gates is very old namely of the year 1597 and is called the Dalempoort. The roman Catholic church in Gorinchem  is built in 1826 and is a water state church. In the church you can find a painted window  with the 19 martyr of Gorinchem on it.  

Hugo de Groot

Also a other very interesting  place to visit is the Hugo de Groot gate of 1621. This gate is a part of the escape way which Hugo de Groot used to escape from Slot Loevestein. You can also find the Huize of Matthhijs Marijke. In that house there is a bookcase which a turning back wall with is probably is used by Hugo de Groot. 

Martyr of Gorinchem

The 19 Marty of Gorinchem are 19 religious people who helped the prince of Oranje to capture Gorinchem in 1572. After the capturing  of Gorinchem the religious are caught and in Den Briel murdered on a horrible way.   

The leaning tower

In the middle of the city you can find the Gothic Sint Jan tower. The foundation is of animal skin. This had one big consequence namely the tower of Gorinchem sagged during the building. The inhabitants of Gorinchem didn't like a leaning tower but they went one with building but then right on high. So if you now go to Gorinchem you will see a bend in the tower.

The leaning tower of Gorinchem