Over the ages its strategic location at the mouth of the IJssel has been beneficial for Kampen. Already in the 12th
century the city's large fleet of cog ships hauled salt from Portugal to trade with cities on the Baltic Sea.
Over the next
centuries Kampen became even more important and very wealthy.
In 1441 the city reluctantly joined the Hanseatic League,
but by then the decline had already set in, caused by the silting up of the IJssel and the growing competition
from Amsterdam.
Early in the Dutch Revolt the city changed sides a couple of times but ended up firmly on the winning Dutch side.
A
large number of the old buildings and structures have survived the ages and provide a glimpse into the city's rich past:
TheCity Hall and Koornmarktpoort date from the 14th century, the Broederpoort and the Cellebroederspoort were gates in the
earthen city wall, erected in 1465.
The Kamper kogge is a seaworthy replica of a dredged up 12th century cog.
The carillon
of the Nieuwe Toren (1664)was built by the famous Hemony brothers.
We visited Kampen's old city center on a rainy day in May 2021.