Nederland - Deventer

Image: view of the city Deventer from the opposite side of the river IJssel.

Deventer is one of the oldest Dutch cities, which was founded around the year of 768 by the English missionary Lebuinus, who built a wooden church on the east bank of the river IJssel. The church did not last long and was burned by marauding Saxons 4 years later.

Deventer became city rights in 956, after which fortifications were built around the city. On one of these strongholds the href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/47395972">Bolwerksmolen was built. Due to its advantageous position along the IJssel the city was a flourishing trade centre between 1000 and 1500, because of its harbour. Around 1500 the city joined the Hanseatic League, which brought more wealth and prosperity.

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the river flow slowed and became shallow. This had a great effect on the level of trade that Deventer could conduct. At the same time trade was increasing in other areas of the Netherlands and this as well as the Eighty Years War played a role in the decline of the wealth of the city.

In the 1800’s Deventer was the site of many industries starting up, such as an iron foundry, heavy machinery production, bicycle and can production as well as textile industries. During World War II, the port and industrial area were heavily damaged, although the old city came through the war largely unscathed.

Nowadays Deventer still offers a great collection of heritage with for instance the oldest brick house, the oldest park and the oldest academic library of the Netherlands.