Send Gift Baskets to Gouda, Netherlands

Before 1100, the area where Gouda now stands was swampy and covered with peat forests, crossed by small creeks like the Gouwe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, peat harvesting began along the shores of this stream near the current market and city hall. A statement by the Bishop of Utrecht mentions Gouda for the first time in 1139.

A canal connected the Gouwe to the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) in the 13th century, and its mouth became a harbor on the Hollandse IJssel. A castle was built to protect this harbor, called Castle Gouda. The Flanders-France-Holland-Baltic Sea shipping route was used for trade between these two states. Gouda became necessary in 1272 when Floris V, Count of Holland, granted city rights. Canals or grachten were dug through the town and used as transport routes.

Two great fires in 1361 and 1438 destroyed the city. During the Dutch revolt against the Spanish King in 1572, the town was occupied by Les Gueux, who committed arson and destruction. The demolition of Castle Gouda began in 1577.

The oldest still-operational inn, De Zalm, is on Markt 34, near the historic Waag building, founded in 1551.

Four plague epidemics struck Gouda in 1574, 1625, 1636, and 1673, with the last one killing 2995 people, constituting 20% of the city’s population.

Gouda suffered severe economic problems in the last quarter of the 16th century. From 1665 to 1672, it prospered and recovered in the first half of the 17th century. As a result of the war breaking out in 1672 and the plague decimated the city in 1673, its economy collapsed again. Between 1700 and 1730, Gouda experienced prosperity and progress. In the 19th century, a period of decline followed another recession. As a result, Goudaners and beggars were considered synonymous during that time.

The city walls were demolished starting in 1830. 1854 marked the demolition of the last city gate. An improved economic situation only began to benefit Gouda in the second half of the 19th century. To stimulate its economy, new companies were established, such as Stearine Kaarsenfabriek (Stearine Candle Factory) and Machinale Garenspinnerij (Mechanized Yarn Spinnery). The railway Gouda-Utrecht was opened in 1855. Beginning in the early 20th century, the city expanded beyond its moats due to large-scale development. Oosterwei, Bloemendaal, Goverwelle, and Westergouwe [nl] were built after World War II, followed by Korte Akkeren, Kort Haarlem, and Kadebuurt.