The 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. Further information about the Hanseatic League: www. hanzesteden.info.
Former abbeys, churches, beautiful (medieval, Renaissance, Baroque) city palaces and governmental buildings, canals, towers, city walls, market squares, bridges, museums and many other monuments and places of history and art accompany the visitor.
The monuments (by their Dutch names) include the Broerenkerk (church), Broerenklooster (monastery), Wijndragerstoren (tower), Pelsertoren (tower), the Grote Kerk (St. Michaëlschurch), Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basilica, Museum de Fundatie, the Lutherse Kerk (church), het Hanzehuis (the Hanseatic House), Waalse Kerk (the Wallonian Church), Synagogue, Bethlehem klooster (monastery) and Karel V Huis (Charels V House).
Source: Zwolle: Vrielink, Numan, Oldengarm, The rich history of a Hanseatic city, Zwolle 2014; www.zwolletouristinfo.nl