Oudewater is a municipality and a town in the central Netherlands.

Population centres

• Hekendorp
• Oudewater
• Papekop
• Snelrewaard

The city of Oudewater

Because of its location on the border between Holland and Utrecht, Oudewater was of great strategic importance. The town was granted city rights in 1265 by Hendrik van Vianden , the bishop of Utrecht.

On July 19 1572, Oudewater was one of the twelve cities taking part in the first free convention of the States-General in Dordrecht.

In the 16th and 17th century, Oudewater was an important producer of rope. In the surrounding area, hemp was cultivated. There still is a rope manufacturing plant and a rope museum in the town.

External links

• Official website
• Map