Dordrecht (also called "Dort") is Hollands Oldest City. Many people go to Amsterdam to see the canals, but the canals of Dordrecht are equally impressive and at some points even more beautiful.<br> There are only three (3) long canals, that divide the old town in several islands.<br> In fact the whole city stands on an island. It has not always been that way. It used to be a "landcity" in marshlands near the river Thuredrith, until the St. Elisabeth flooding in 1421, that created a large inland sea (Biesbosch). Dordrecht survived mainly thanks to it's citywals, that kept the water out.<br> Dordrecht is Hollands oldest town (so NOT of the Netherlands, only of Holland). It became a city in 1220. The City rights were given by Count Jan I of Holland.<br> The 13th century saw the start of a long period of great prosperity. Dordrecht became one of the richest cities of Holland and you can still see that in this old town. The canals are amazing. It is like standing in Venice the houses are literally standing in the water. Tourists can walk down to water level on ancient stairways and get the feeling that they are back in 1600. No sound of cars, no sounds of the modern world. Sadly the modern world has intruded this city. Between Central Station and the old center you find nothing but modern (and sadly not so pretty) buildings. But those who walk on to the big river will have a view that is unique in the world.<br> Famous is the "Oude Hof" "Old Court". This is were the Dutch decided to become an independent Republic, this is were 12 cities decided to go to war against Spain and become a free nation. Dordrecht was still an important and very rich city in those days. In decades that followed (17th century) nearby Rotterdam and far Amsterdam got more important. Dordrecht lost the competition and time stood still there. It lasted till the age of trains that the city started to grow again. Therefor there are almost no parts of town that have 19th century buildings. It goes very drastically from 17th century to 20th century architecture. This is sometimes shocking, but still with almost 1.000 monuments along the three canals you will probably fall in love with this city. Unique is the fact that no canals have been closed here. Dordrecht can easily be reached by train from Rotterdam (10 minutes) The Hague (45 minutes) and Amsterdam (100 minutes), Brussels (2 hours) and Paris (TGV - 3 hours).