Almelo: Textile History, Museums and Routes

Almelo combines a rich textile history with museums, historic sites and routes through the city and green spaces. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: city history, art, water or getting active. Options range from exhibitions and guided city tours to cycling and walking routes.

Almelo and its textile history

Almelo was established in the 11th century at a crossing point for land and waterways. Thanks to this location, the city developed into a thriving textile centre. Several distinctive former factory buildings have been preserved as reminders of its rich textile industry.

The Stedelijk Museum Almelo presents the history of the former textile town and today’s manufacturing city through objects, paintings, textiles, photographs and videos. Different forms of remembrance are brought together, from textile objects to images and film. The museum offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and activities. As the programme may change, it is worth checking the current offerings in advance.

Hof van Gülick also takes you back to the city’s early beginnings. The name refers to the oldest part of Almelo known by this designation. From the 12th century onwards, a settlement of clay and thatched houses developed there, forming the origins of the city. The Kolkje and Hof van Gülick area was once characterised by waterways and grassland on both sides. Linen was bleached on the grassland before the area was incorporated into the grounds of Huize Almelo. This means that the city’s history includes not only textile production but also the earlier stages of linen processing.

Museums, crafts and city tours

The old Bolletje factory building is considered the birthplace of the brand. It is home to the Bolletjewinkel, where visitors can shop, eat and drink, and visit the Bolletje Museum. As the services on offer may change, it is worth checking what is currently available before your visit. The Bolletje Bakery Museum showcases traditional baking methods, including the use of a wood-fired oven, historic baking equipment and baking tins.

The museum route through Almelo takes you to three museums: Stadsboerderij het Wevershuisje, Stedelijk Museum Almelo and Bolletje Museum. The art route offers a different perspective, passing several art installations, studios, galleries and artistic activities in the city. The two routes therefore have different focuses: museums on the one hand, and art venues and activities on the other.

Guided city tours of Almelo with experienced guides are offered from the Wevershuisje. The starting point is clearly specified; this is a bookable experience, and availability may change. Check dates and make a reservation before planning your visit.

Routes through the city, green spaces and along the water

The Almelo–Nordhorn Experience Route is a cycling route that follows the historic Almelo–Nordhorn Canal for most of its length and connects Almelo with Nordhorn. For a walk through a different kind of landscape, the Gravenallee route passes through the grounds belonging to the driveway of Huize Almelo. It leads through dense forests and open areas, along wide avenues and narrow paths, and beside streams and ponds.

Another walking route follows the small river Aa and passes boats, showcasing the connection between greenery and water that characterises Almelo. The routes differ clearly in the landscapes they offer: the Gravenallee features a mix of woodland, open spaces and avenues, while the route along the Aa focuses on the river, boats, greenery and water.

A boat trip is another way to experience Almelo from the water. Praam Stad Almelo II offers trips on and around Almelo aboard an authentic iron cargo ship that once transported peat. The ship’s former use gives today’s trip a tangible link to the history of transport.

Green spaces in the city

Doepark de Hagen is in the centre of Almelo and is a green meeting place for residents, people seeking recreation and, in particular, children. The park includes a water playground, among other features. Houtstek reflects another historic connection with water: originally a barn used as a sawmill, it was one of nine sawmills in Almelo. Rebuilt in 1998 almost exactly as it had originally been, it now serves as a harbour building housing all the facilities of the marina.

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