The city of Zwolle was granted city rights by Bishop Willebrand van Oldenburg of Utrecht in 1230. The town grew to a city of significance., largely because of its location on trading routes and waterways.
Zwolle joined the Hanseatic League in 1407 and soon experienced a Golden Age and a rich eccliasiastical and cultural future.
Former abbeys, churches, beautiful (medieval, Renaissance, Baroque) city palaces and buildings, canals, towers, city walls, market squares, bridges, city gates, museums and many other monuments and places of history and art accompany the visitor.
A few examples, not limitative, are: the Broerenkerk (church), Broerenklooster (monastery), Wijndragerstoren (tower), Binnen Diezerpoort (gate), Grote kerk (St. Michaëlschurch), Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basilica, Raadstoren (tower), Celepoortje (tower), lutherse kerk (Lutheran Church), Sassenpoort (gate), Hanzehuis (House of the Hanseatic League), Waalse kerk (Wallonian Church), Bethlehemklooster (monastery), Karel V Huis (Charles V House) and the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk (High or Jacobean Church).
(Source and further information: Vrielink, Numan, Oldengarm, Zwolle City Walking Tour, Zwolle 2014).