Venlo

About

Venlo has been an important trading center since the Middle Ages, joining the Hanseatic League in 1375. Recently, the city was named the "Greenest city of Europe", and won the prestigious 'Best City Centre of the Netherlands'. For visitors, this means a scenic, monument rich experience awaits. At the heart of the car-free historic center stands the Northern Renaissance-style city hall, overlooking a lively square lined with shops and cafes. The red-brick Gothic St. Martinus church was damaged during World War II, requiring extensive renovations. The building’s facade has maintained its historic appearance, while the sleek interior is punctuated by a gorgeous, giant gilded triptych behind the altar. The Limburgs Museum is a wonderful multimedia experience with a delightful collection of paintings and movies. The ‘historoscope’ is particularly fascinating, condensing 150,000 years of history into 25 minutes.