Between 1898 and 1965, the Koningshof location housed the Koninklijke Plateelfabriek Zuid-Holland. For a long time the beautiful tableware from ‘Plazuid’ was a trendsetter all over the world. After the factory closed, the location and the various associated monumental buildings – which belong to the protected cityscape of Gouda – fell into disrepair. Redevelopment of the Koningshof area has given new life to this important part of historic Gouda.

As part of the development, the monumental buildings have been restored and provided with a new purpose. The municipal monumental buildings on the Raam and the Bakery have been redeveloped into homes and the National Monument ‘the Clay Barn’ has been transformed into a trendy restaurant on the water. The monumental factory water tower from 1920 was a water reservoir for the fire brigade that increased the water pressure in the pipeline. Now the water tower is the smallest residential tower in the Netherlands.

Gouda glasses

Whoever enters the Sint Jan church falls silent upon seeing the majestic space with the 72 world-famous stained glass windows. That experience only gets stronger when you see the wonderful light coming in through the “Dutch Masters”. It is the start of an impressive journey of discovery through Biblical and historical scenes full of human emotion

Gouda Cheese Market

This is a spectacular historical spectacle that takes place every Thursday from April to August (except on Ascension Day). For the Waag, farmers negotiate with the traders about the price. And as it has been for centuries, the purchase is still handled with a hand. The cheeses are supplied and removed on brig and after the sale weighed in the monumental Goudse Waag.