Enkhuizen, Westwoud, Hoogkarspel

The Dutch 17th century, traditionally known as the Golden Age, is perhaps nowhere more tangible than in the historic harbour town of Enkhuizen. At the time, the town was known as Enckhuysen. It was home to the country's largest herring fleet, while the Dutch West India Company (WIC) had one of its main offices here. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) also left its mark throughout the town.

Enkhuizen is filled with beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings, many with richly decorated façades. Admire the former VOC warehouse Het Peperhuis or the intriguing Bremen Warehouse. Visit the magnificent Westerkerk, where both the exterior and interior have retained their historic character, and don't miss the remarkable Librije, one of the oldest historic libraries in the Netherlands. Another architectural highlight is Enkhuizen's impressive Town Hall, standing next to the former city prison.

The route also takes you beyond the town centre. Cycle past the former boundary post that once marked the city's limits, wave to the Great Mill along the way, and continue to the village of Schellinkhout, where you can admire its historic Town Hall.

Across the region, you'll find 18 Golden Age landmarks. These are marked by distinctive gold-coloured coins set into the pavement and are also listed among the points of interest on this cycling route.

While we continue to admire the beauty of these historic buildings today, it's important to remember that the wealth of the Golden Age came at a great human cost. It was also a period marked by colonialism, slavery and war.