Deventer, Medieval Hanseatic city in Overijssel, Netherlands
Deventer is a town with medieval core and charter rights in Overijssel on the IJssel in the Netherlands and was a member of the Hanseatic League. The old streets run from the river up to the Bergstraat and connect churches, merchant houses and narrow lanes with squares.
King Otto I granted the settlement charter rights in the year 952 and trade in grain and cloth over the river brought prosperity. Joining the Hanseatic League in the 13th century strengthened its position as a trade junction between German and Dutch territories.
The name Bergkwartier refers to the slight hill and the old merchant houses still show the narrow facades and deep inner courtyards from the trading era. Locals use the winding alleys for shopping in small stores or sit in the hofjes between the buildings.
The train station lies at the edge of the old core and travelers reach the town center on foot within a few minutes. Many streets have cobblestones and the narrow lanes can become slippery when it rains.
The Athenaeum library from the year 1560 preserves handwritten codices and incunabula and is considered the oldest scientific library in the country. Visitors can experience the reading rooms with the old wooden shelves and the smell of parchment.
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