Somewhere around 1300 AD farmers and fishermen founded the tiny village of Hoorn, strategically located in a bend on the Westfrisian coast where the Gouw River met the old Zuiderzee, now called IJsselmeer. By 1356 the place was already of such importance that it was given city-rights by Count Willem V. In 1426 walls were build to protect the city. The walls included four gates, from which only one survives today. As more merchants and bargemen moved into the place the town slowly grew bigger and bigger. Nowadays thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to this historical city, which not only offers the visitor a unique feel of its glorious past, but good shopping and great watersport facilities as well. The latest, and very striking, addition to the town is a brand-new Theatre House right on its waterfront. Hoorn is located only 35 km. north of Amsterdam and is easily accessible by train, bus or boat. All sights in the city can be covered on foot in less than a day.