Quiet morning in Koudekerk aan den Rijn by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Quiet morning in Koudekerk aan den Rijn"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

Koudekerk aan den Rijn is a village in the province of South Holland, located on the banks of the Oude Rijn river, a tributary of the Rhine. It is part of the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn.

The village has a long history, whose origins date back at least to the early Middle Ages. Newer insights suggest that "cold" is a medieval pronunciation for "deserted". "Koudekerk" would then mean "place where there was an abandoned church".

Koudekerk aan den Rijn is a small municipality. The population is a few thousand, which contributes to its quiet, village atmosphere. The village has a mix of residential areas, small businesses and agricultural land. It offers a quiet, rural lifestyle yet is close to larger cities such as Alphen aan den Rijn and Leiden.

The monumental Gothic village church is one of the oldest structures in Koudekerk aan den Rijn. Near the Oude Rijn river, the only remnant of the former gatehouse of the former Groot Poelgeest castle is an octagonal turret. The former castle is also known as Huis te Horn.

There are also several polder mills around Koudekerk aan den Rijn, including the Hondsdijkse Molen and the Lagewaardse Molen.

Thanks to its picturesque landscape and waterways, the area around Koudekerk aan den Rijn is popular for outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and boating.

Overall, Koudekerk aan den Rijn is a charming village that combines historical significance with the tranquillity of the Dutch countryside.