Lochem

Netherlands

Monumental buildings in the Bierstraat

Lochem is a city located in the Achterhoek, the region in the east of the Dutch province of Gelderland.

Lochem is a historical city located by the Berkel river and the Twentekanaal. It is known for its historical city centre and the Lochemerberg, one of the highest points in the area (49.5 metres). Lochem has been a city since 1233. Ever since 900 there should have been a church with hamlet, as archaeological revealed, which would make Lochem one of the oldest kerspelen(settlement by a church) of the Achterhoek. The fortifications of Lochem have consisted of two moats and a city wall, of which the outer moat has been removed. The city today offers houses dating back to the 1630s, with other houses dating back to the seventeenth century.

  • VVV Lochem, Markt 2, NL-7241 AA Lochem, +31 573 251 898.

VVV Lochem, Markt 2, NL-7241 AA Lochem, +31 573 251 898.

The river Berkel at the Graaf Ottoweg

  • Huis Verwolde, Jonker Emilelaan 4, NL-7245 TL Laren, +31 573 401 825. Easter through October, 12:00 - 17:00. Huis Verwolde is a castle with 47 hectares of land around it. The castle can be visited, the former kitchen is a tearoom and the surrounding land can be explored on foot.
  • Saint Gudulakerk, Markt 4, NL-7241 AA Lochem.

Huis Verwolde, Jonker Emilelaan 4, NL-7245 TL Laren, +31 573 401 825. Easter through October, 12:00 - 17:00. Huis Verwolde is a castle with 47 hectares of land around it. The castle can be visited, the former kitchen is a tearoom and the surrounding land can be explored on foot.

Saint Gudulakerk, Markt 4, NL-7241 AA Lochem.

  • Hiking. Though there aren't many mountains to climb near Lochem, the Pieterpad does cross through the municipality, and it has a checkpoint in nearby Laren. The Pieterpad is a long trail, starting in Pieterburen (Frisia), and ending at the Sint-Pietersberg (Limburg).
  • Karting Eefde, Elzerdijk 44, Eefde, +31 575 540 229. Tue-Sun: 9AM - 9PM.

Hiking. Though there aren't many mountains to climb near Lochem, the [[Pieterpad]] does cross through the municipality, and it has a checkpoint in nearby Laren. The Pieterpad is a long trail, starting in [[Pieterburen]] ([[Friesland|Frisia]]), and ending at the [[Sint-Pietersberg]] ([[Limburg]]).

Karting Eefde, Elzerdijk 44, Eefde, +31 575 540 229. Tue-Sun: 9AM - 9PM.

Huis Verwolde with the lake behind it

Restaurant de Basiliek, Bierstraat 6, NL-7241 AH Lochem, +31 573 258 082.

De Eetgalerie, Doctor Rivestraat 8, NL-7241 AS Lochem, +31 573 255 145.

't Runderke, Noorderwal 40, NL-7241 BL Lochem, +31 573 281 663.

Restaurant Modani, Graaf Ottoweg 6, NL-7241 DG Lochem, +31 573 257 595.

From Lochem, many larger cities are close by. Within the Achterhoek, these are Zutphen, a former Hanzestad and Doetinchem, the de facto capital of the Achterhoek. Another nearby location is the municipality of Oost Gelre with the towns of Groenlo, known most for the Zwarte Cross event, which is the largest motocross event of Europe, and Lichtenvoorde, which has the largest flower parade of Europe. Alternatively, the Twentse cities of Deventer, Enschede and Hengelo are nearby as well.