From the late 7th century to the mid-9th century, Dorestad was one of the most important international trading places in Western Europe. It was located roughly where Wijk bij Duurstede is today. It was a rich city with a lot of trade. Dorestad's toll registers record that it traded in furs, textiles, dyes, salt and honey. But slaves and hunting dogs were also traded in Dorestad. From glass, wood, stone and leather, all kinds of products were made, from jewellery to combs and coins. Especially because of the latter, Dorestad was known worldwide. A town owning its own currency was very special and the money grew to become the main means of payment in Western and Northern Europe. Coinage minted in Dorestad has even been found as far away as Russia! Unfortunately, the wealth also attracted the attention of the Vikings, who plundered the city with some regularity. It is even said that they were the cause of Dorestad's decline, but more factors probably played a role. For instance, the Rhine silted up, and the balance of power shifted after Charlemagne's death. In 1841, the first archaeological finds of the medieval city were made. One of the most famous archaeological finds in the Netherlands is the 'Fibula of Dorestad', a cloak pin found in a well of the former Dorestad. The pin is on display at the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. Discover the hinterland of Wijk bij Duurstede, the castle and the story of the once famous Dorestad.
Directions | Distance | Total distance | |
Start: Singel 28, 3961 CG Wijk bij Duurstede | 38.5 KM | ||
From
15
to
14
|
85 M | 0.1 KM | |
Head northeast on Singel | 21 M | ||
Turn left onto Zandweg | 64 M | ||
You are now at section 14 | 0 M | ||
From
14
to
13
|
1523 M | 1.5 KM | |
Head east on Zandweg | 904 M | ||
Turn right onto Langbroekseweg | 584 M | ||
Keep left onto Langbroekseweg | 35 M | ||
You are now at section 13 | 0 M | ||
From
13
to
56
|
6137 M | 6.1 KM | |
Head west on Melkwegsetiendweg | 473 M | ||
Continue onto Groenewoudpad | 698 M | ||
Turn left onto Groenewoudseweg | 88 M | ||
Turn left | 84 M | ||
Continue onto Groenewoudseweg | 1 KM | ||
Turn right onto Tarweveld | 17 M | ||
Turn left onto Dorpsstraat | 475 M | ||
Turn left onto Kerkweg | 237 M | ||
Turn left onto Wethouder C.E. Th. Vernooijstraat | 96 M | ||
Turn right onto Monseigneur Le Blancstraat | 101 M | ||
Turn left onto C.B. Kentiestraat | 197 M | ||
Turn right onto Willem-Alexanderweg | 412 M | ||
Turn right onto Ossenwaard | 2.2 KM | ||
You are now at section 56 | 0 M | ||
From
56
to
57
|
1270 M | 1.3 KM | |
Head northwest on Caspargauw | 1.1 KM | ||
Turn left onto Tuurdijk | 189 M | ||
You are now at section 57 | 0 M | ||
From
57
to
60
|
2651 M | 2.7 KM | |
Head northwest on Hollendewagenweg | 2.3 KM | ||
Turn left onto Herenstraat | 305 M | ||
You are now at section 60 | 0 M | ||
From
60
to
62
|
1379 M | 1.4 KM | |
Head northwest on Achterdijk | 447 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Achterdijk | 932 M | ||
You are now at section 62 | 0 M | ||
From
62
to
63
|
3476 M | 3.5 KM | |
Head southwest | 2.3 KM | ||
Continue onto Oostrumsdijkje | 366 M | ||
Turn left onto Beusichemseweg | 153 M | ||
Turn right onto Tiendweg | 503 M | ||
Turn right onto Tiendweg | 157 M | ||
You are now at section 63 | 0 M | ||
From
63
to
66
|
892 M | 0.9 KM | |
Head southwest on Tiendweg | 733 M | ||
Turn left onto Schonauwenseweg | 11 M | ||
Turn right onto Poeldijk | 11 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Poeldijk | 137 M | ||
You are now at section 66 | 0 M | ||
From
66
to
64
|
1847 M | 1.8 KM | |
Head south on Schalkwijkseweg | 313 M | ||
Continue straight | 917 M | ||
Continue straight | 520 M | ||
Turn right onto Schalkwijkseweg | 97 M | ||
You are now at section 64 | 0 M | ||
From
64
to
51
|
3032 M | 3 KM | |
Head southwest on Tetwijkseweg | 39 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Tetwijkseweg | 781 M | ||
Make a slight left | 1.5 KM | ||
Turn right onto Achterdijk | 32 M | ||
Turn left onto Groeneweg | 687 M | ||
You are now at section 51 | 0 M | ||
From
51
to
52
|
2427 M | 2.4 KM | |
Head southeast on Lekdijk | 2.4 KM | ||
You are now at section 52 | 0 M | ||
From
52
to
54
|
3722 M | 3.7 KM | |
Head northeast on Lekdijk | 1.6 KM | ||
Make a slight right to stay on Lekdijk | 73 M | ||
Continue straight | 104 M | ||
Continue onto Lekdijk | 2 KM | ||
You are now at section 54 | 0 M | ||
From
54
to
96
|
2543 M | 2.5 KM | |
Head southeast on Lekdijk | 2.5 KM | ||
You are now at section 96 | 0 M | ||
From
96
to
15
|
7472 M | 7.5 KM | |
Head east on Lekdijk West | 1.1 KM | ||
Turn right to stay on Lekdijk West | 2.9 KM | ||
Turn right onto Romeinenbaan | 219 M | ||
Turn right onto Lekdijk Oost | 417 M | ||
Make a slight right | 907 M | ||
Turn left onto Lekdijk Oost (N229) | 603 M | ||
Turn left onto Vrouwenpoortpad | 239 M | ||
Make a slight left | 37 M | ||
Turn left onto Dijksingel | 1 KM | ||
You are now at section 15 | 0 M |