Open Monuments

The Municipality of Zutphen has declared a few monuments open to the public, and allowing a visit. In close co-operation with Gilde Zutphen, a tour guide will welcome you, take you on a guided tour and provide information about the history of the building.

 Burgerzaal

Burgerzaal

The Burgerzaal (Citizens’ Hall) is a part of the old City Hall of Zutphen which was most probably built during the 13th Century. This magnificent building located in 4 Lange Hofstraat through the centuries was used for various purposes such as Butcher’s Hall (housing the Butcher’s Guild), court of justice, prison and butter hall. During the 19th Century had fallen into ruin to such a degree that demolition was seriously considered, however these plans fortunately never materialized and the restoration works of the Citizen’s Hall that followed were completed in 1896.

In 2026, this beautiful historic building will be open to the public from January to March on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. It will also be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the following days: April 28 and 29; May 14; July 21, 22, 28 and 29; August 4, 5, 11 and 12; October 13, 14, 20 and 21; and December 22, 23, 29 and 30.
Entrance is free.

A guide will welcome you and inform you about the rich history of this building and its special features.

Wijnhuistoren

Wijnhuistoren

The Wijnhuistoren (Wine house Tower) in Zutphen is an excellent example of a bell tower with carillon. It was Zutphen’ economic hub for many years. The Wine house used to be not only an annex to the City Hall but also the town tavern where local administrators met to wine and dine. The town guard (municipal police) was also accommodated here. It was built and subsequently embellished during the Middle Ages. In the 15th Century the Wine house already had a tower, albeit a small one, but a period of regional growth that followed after the Eighty Years’ War allowed for the construction of the much larger current tower.

In 2026, this monument, free to visit, will be open to the public from January to March on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. It will also be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the following days: April 28 and 29; May 14; July 21, 22, 28 and 29; August 4, 5, 11 and 12; October 13, 14, 20 and 21; and December 22, 23, 29 and 30.
Our enthusiastic Gilde tower guides will be on hand at 1, 2, 3, and 4 PM to give a fascinating tour of the tower! (Children must be accompanied by an adult!).

During this guided tower tour you will not only hear a lot of information about Zutphen’s fascinating history and the Winehouse Tower’s role in the past, but also much attention will be paid to its unique carillon and how the bells were, and still are being made.
And on top of all this of course comes the reward: a splendid view from the top of the tower at the end of the tour!

Bourgonjetoren

Boergonjetoren

The Bourgonjetoren is a beautiful roundel, one of the old fortifications of the city.It was built in the 15e century and a huge cannon was placed there. All this as a defense on the banks of the river IJssel, for fear of the Burgundians, who were busy at that time to expand their area, also in our environment. The tower has the name of the enemy! But fighting is never there, because the city eventually surrendered itself in a big attack without a blow or a bump. In the 18e century, the tower was owned by the Heeckeren family, who built a tea dome on top of the tower. This was used by the Reverend Martinet as a working space and he wrote his famous work there ‘Catechismus der Natuur’.

The Hanseatic Tower
When the tower became vacant a few years ago, the municipality decided to use it to tell the Hanseatic story. Together with Zutphen Museums, the Walburgis Church, Zutphen Promotion, and Gelderland Heritage, they developed a comprehensive program suitable for both school groups and families with children. It’s a multimedia educational space that playfully tells the story of Zutphen as a Hanseatic city. Up to five digital games can be played. There’s also an interactive screen to explore the medieval city, films about the Hanseatic period and the city of Zutphen are shown, and the beautiful model “Zutphen in 1485” by Constant Willems is on display.

In 2026, this monument is open to the public from January to March on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. It will also be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the following days: April 28 and 29; May 14; July 21, 22, 28 and 29; August 4, 5, 11 and 12; October 13, 14, 20 and 21; and December 22, 23, 29 and 30.

St. Janskerk

St.Janskerk

When you enter Zutphen along the Berkel, you will see the high spire of the tower of the St. Jan (St. Jans- or Nieuwstadskerk) on your right. This church was founded in the 13th century as the parish church of the Nieuwstad, a town that was founded next to the existing old town by the Counts of Gelre.

The Sint Jan started as a small church with a freestanding tower. The church as we see it today is the result of several extensions in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is a three-aisled church. Since 1816 this church has been in the hands of the Catholic parish again. The church has been beautifully restored since 1980.

The church and tower are open from April to December on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Guides accompany visitors as they make the climb, sharing fascinating stories along the way.

Berkel ruin

The gate over the Berkel River is a striking feature that appears in many photographs, and it is the symbol of the fortress. It is a striking part of the fortifications that has been preserved despite all the renovations and urban development. The Berkel ruins tell an important part of Zutphen’s story: about the fortress, about the expansion with the Nieuwstad, and about trade via the Berkel.

You will receive a presentation in words and images. A timeline shows the developments from the start of construction in 1325 to the present. In the fourteenth century, for example, the wooden sliding doors were replaced by wrought-iron portcullises, and in the fifteenth century, a gatekeeper’s house was added. Over time, the gate has also been restored several times. The most recent restoration (between 2010 and 2012) aimed to return the ruin to its 1888-1890 state.

The Berkel ruin is open on the last Sunday of the month, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM from April to September.