Apeldoorn, the Netherlands | City guide for expats

Living in or visiting Apeldoorn? Find information and useful links for students, locals and expats on this page.

Information about Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn is a city and municipality in the province of Gelderland, in the centre of the Netherlands. With over 95.000 people working in the municipality, Apeldoorn is an important centre of employment.

History of Apeldoorn

The oldest known reference to Apeldoorn dates from the 8th century. The city’s location was originally at the crossroads of the old roads from Amersfoort to Deventer and from Arnhem to Zwolle.

It was a relatively insignificant place until the major building projects of the 19th century and those of the period following World War II turned in into the large centre it is today.

Apeldoorn's greatest building of note is Het Loo, formerly het Nieuwe Loo and the favourite country seat of the Dutch royal family. It was originally a hunting lodge of the dukes of Gelderland, but in its present form dates chiefly from the time of the then Stadtholder William III of England (1685–1686).

Sights & activities in Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn has a strong focus on art and culture, much of which can be seen in the city’s Cultuurkwartier (cultural quarter) near the city centre, where many of Apeldoorn’s music, dance, theatre and film performances and exhibitions are held. For lovers of modern art, CODA museum has a site in Apeldoorn, where it hosts various temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

Video about Apeldoorn