Ootmarsum obtained its city rights around 1300 from the bishop of Utrecht. Nowadays this little city is considered to be the tourist attraction of Twente. Hailed as the `city of art,' tourist visit year round to enjoy small cafés, art galleries and museums.
One of the main highlights of Ootmarsum is a sloping hill, just outside the city, named in Dutch the Kuiperberg. This is the ideal place for an afternoon stroll or bicycle trip. You will find at the top of the hill an orientation table built in 1926. From this hilltop spot, you will have an amazing panaromic view of the surrounding Twente landscape.
In the heart of the city, you can find many galleries along quaint cobblestone walkways. One of the most successful local artists of Ootmarsum, Ton Schulten, is best known for his colourful mosaic landscape of Twente. Schulten's chosen mediums include canvas, screen-print and reproductions, all of which can be admired by visitors in his two downtown galleries, Chez moi Ton Schulten Galerie International and the Ton Schulten museum. His work, with obvious expressionist overtones, are featured at the galleries in chronological order starting with his first art work and proceeding to his most recent productions.
The open air museum Los Hoes is absolutely worth a visit. You will discover original farmhouses, open meadows and an animal park for children. The historic authenticity inside these farm structures creates a vivid image for visitors of how people lived and worked for many centuries, dating as far back as the Middle Ages. The museum is open everyday (except in January) from 10 am to 5 pm.
One day is only enough time to get a taste of Ootmarsum, but too short to savour the fine details of this beautiful city with all its extraordinary aspects.