Skip to main content

Four village centres

The villages Katwijk aan Zee, Katwijk aan den Rijn, Rijnsburg and Valkenburg together form the municipality of Katwijk.

Rijnsburg

Rijnsburg’s best known monument is the N.H. Kerk (1578), with its church tower even dating back to the 12th century. In addition, you can find many characterful buildings in and around the village centre. Want to learn more about the history of Rijnsburg? Visit Museum Oud Rijnsburg! Or visit the Spinozahuis, a small house in which the philosopher Benedictus de Spinoza lived and worked from 1661 until 1663. Here, you’ll find a unique reconstruction of Spinoza’s library and a collection of letters and portraits. 

Fun fact: One of the famous Flower Parade events starts every year in Rijnsburg. 

Museums

Valkenburg

Valkenburg was originally a Roman settlement. You can still find traces of this time in several places around the village. The most northerly road of the Roman Empire, the Limes, used to run through present-day Valkenburg and Katwijk. In addition, Valkenburg has a few farms from 18th and 19th century. 

Tip! Enjoy a sunny day at lake Valkenburg, here you will also find the Steam Locomotive Museum and Brasserie Buitenhuis.

Museums

Katwijk aan Zee

In 1231, the first reference to Catwijck appeared in the records. A reference to a fish market on the beach appeared in the records around 150 years later. Nowadays you can still experience the history of the fishermen, for example at the Katwijks Museum or by tasting some fresh fish at one of the many fish shops and restaurants. 

Must sees: Situated on the promenade are the Andreaskerk (a church dating from ca. 1460) and De Vuurbaak lighthouse (1605), this is the second oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands.  

Fish

Katwijk aan den Rijn

Katwijk aan den Rijn is a very characterful village, with buildings from the 18th century. Most of these are located in the area around the Dorpskerk (15th century church). You can also find De Geregtigheid mill (1740) in Katwijk aan den Rijn.

 

Church

Have a break