The walking route starts at TOP Ponthoeve, at the Vianen pancake farm of the same name. You first take the ferry to Vreeswijk. A former village from the 9th century, later an outer port of the city of Utrecht that was reinforced with fortifications. Nowadays Vreeswijk is part of the municipality of Nieuwegein. However, the historic character was preserved. After a walk through Vreeswijk you can take the foot/bicycle ferry back to Vianen to continue your walk through the historic city center.
Fort Vreeswijk has a rich history. Hidden in the built-up area of Nieuwegein, it was part of the New Dutch Waterline. The fort was originally built by the French in 1672 as a sconce consisting of low earthen ramparts. In around 1853, it was reinforced with magazines and quarters, the earthen r...
The Lekpoort is the only remaining town gate of Vianen. Together with the Oostpoort and the Landpoort, it formed the gateway to the walled town centre until the 19th Century.
