Zaltbommel

Zaltbommel sits on the south bank of the Waal in the Bommelerwaard and kept its rampart circuit and a compact medieval centre with about three hundred listed buildings. The Sint-Maartenskerk is the landmark and the oddity: its tower was struck by lightning in 1538, the spire burned, and it was never rebuilt - a low dome was put on the stump instead, so a large Gothic church carries a blunt cap, which is visible from a long way across the flat land and which everyone comments on. Inside are late medieval wall paintings and vault decoration. The Maarten van Rossum museum occupies a late Gothic town house built by the mercenary captain of that name. The town has a wall walk, water gates and, from the ramparts, the river with the bridges and the old Bommelse Waal traffic on it.

What you actually see

• A capped church tower - the spire burned in 1538 and replaced with a low dome.
• Late medieval wall paintings - surviving in the church interior and vaults.
• A rampart circuit - walls, water gates and a walk round the old town.
• A mercenary's house - Van Rossum's late Gothic town house, now the museum.

When to go

April to October. A day.

Honest expectations

The church keeps limited hours and closes for services. The museum closes on Mondays. The town is small - a day covers it comfortably. The A2 motorway bridge is close and audible.

Nearby

Slot Loevestein is west; Den Bosch is south.