Dutch history: Golden Age & VOC and how it will influence your cycling tour

The Dutch gained great wealth in the 17th century. This period is called the Dutch Golden Age, and much of the historic centers of Dutch town are created in that time. One of the main reasons was the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Because of the East India Company trade grew. Towns and cities that were engaged in the VOC were some of the most rich in the county. Nowadays you can still see this wealth in some of the Dutch canals (canal houses), harbors, the mansions and churches. Art developed as well by painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen.

Learn more about 8 Dutch towns in the golden age, that you can visit during your cycling tour:
- Middelburg
- Dordrecht
- Delft
- The Hague
- Leiden
- Haarlem
- Amsterdam
- Hoorn & Enkhuizen

In this video you can learn more about the Golden Age in general:

Source video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q

In this video you can learn more about the VOC / Dutch East Indian Company:

Source video: Source video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q

Source item: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/golden-age.htm