Kampen

Koornmarkts Gate

Kampen, gemeente (municipality) and port, north-central Netherlands. It is situated on the southwest side of the IJssel River near its influx into Lake Ketel.

First mentioned in 1227, Kampen was a member of the Hanseatic League and a leading commercial centre until it was supplanted by Amsterdam in the 16th century. Its economy revived with the development of industry in the 19th century and the opening of the nearby agricultural polders (land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer) in 1942 and 1957. Kampen is now a service centre. Its industries include food processing, printing and publications, and cement manufacture. Historic buildings include the old town hall, restored after a fire in 1543, with the Schepenzaal; the Boven Church and the Buiten Church from the 14th and 16th centuries; and three medieval turreted gateways—the Koornmarkt Gate, the Cellebroeders Gate, and the Broeders Gate (now a museum). Two Dutch Reformed theological seminaries are located in Kampen. Pop. (2007 est.) 49,359.