Gouda Markt

A town hall that asks to be photographed

The Markt in Gouda is one of the most photogenic spots in Zuid-Holland. Not because it is busy or exotic, but because the town hall simply looks magnificent. Freestanding, golden-coloured, surrounded by open space on all sides. You will find that almost nowhere else in the Netherlands. Most historic town halls are wedged between other buildings. Not here.

The town hall dates from 1450 and is one of the oldest Gothic town halls in the country still in use. The yellow sandstone, the stepped gables, the shutters. There is always something catching the light beautifully.

Light and time of day

Early in the morning the Markt is quiet and the light is soft. In summer the sun rises on the east side, which lights up the front facade nicely. As the day goes on, the light moves around. In the afternoon you get warmer light on the sides of the building.

Overcast weather works well too. No harsh shadows, even light across the facades. The colour of the sandstone comes through calmly. On a rainy evening the square reflects and you get a completely different atmosphere.

Composition and focal length

Because of its freestanding position you can approach the town hall from any angle. A 24mm or 28mm gives you the building with its surroundings. If you want the facades more compressed with people in the foreground, use a 50mm or 85mm.

Pay attention to the lines of the cobblestones on the square. They lead the eye nicely towards the building. Going low, kneeling or even lying flat on the ground gives a very different perspective from shooting at eye level. People walking past the town hall add scale and life to an otherwise quiet image.

Practical

You can park in the car park beneath the Chocoladefabriek complex or on the edge of the city centre. The Markt itself is car-free. On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a market, which adds extra life and colour but also more crowds. For architectural shots without people you are better off going on a weekday morning. You do not need a permit for non-commercial photography on the public Markt.

Sources and further reading

• Gemeente Gouda
• Stadhuis Gouda, Rijksmonumentenregister
• Wikipedia: Stadhuis van Gouda