The Island of Dordrecht

Thanks to its favorable location on the Thure River, Dordrecht, with 8,000 inhabitants, was once the largest city in Holland. However, after the Sint Elisabethflood of 1421, a large area around the city was flooded and much trade was able to bypass the city and sail on to competing cities. At the same time, the Island of Dordrecht was created, now that the city was completely surrounded by water. During the Middle Ages, the city did manage to develop further and this can be seen in the inner city. The medieval port area, centuries-old canals and many hundreds of monuments adorn the center of Dordrecht. World War II also left its mark on the area. The Island of Dordrecht was much sought after by the Germans and was therefore heavily fought over. Especially on the east and southeast bank of the island, many German bunkers can still be found. Besides its historical surroundings, the Island of Dordrecht also has a beautiful and rich nature. The wet area is intensively inhabited by all kinds of birds and other special fauna. In the polder between the Dordrecht Biesbosch and the Hollandse Biesbosch, there are also a lot of vast meadows where you can get a nice breath of fresh air on your bike!