Why the citizens of this Dutch city are famously known as Bluefingers

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Zwolle, the capital of Overijssel, is a city defined by its medieval resilience and peculiar legends. While its history includes Hanseatic prosperity and a dramatic liberation in World War II, its residents carry the curious nickname Blauwvingers, a moniker linked to centuries of political intrigue and local folklore.

Founded around 800 CE by Frisian merchants and Charlemagne’s troops, Zwolle was built on a natural incline between four rivers: the IJssel, Vecht, Aa, and Zwarte Water. This elevated position was crucial, as it remained dry during frequent floods. By 1230, the bishop of Utrecht granted the settlement city rights, and by 1294, it had joined the Hanseatic League. The 15th century marked a golden age for the city, during which its Gross Regional Product multiplied by approximately six between 1402 and 1450.

The city's nickname, Blauwvingers, has two distinct origin stories. Popular legend claims it arose in 1682 after the city sold its church bells to Kampen to cover debts. When the bells arrived damaged, Kampen paid in a massive quantity of copper coins; the citizens of Zwolle supposedly turned their fingers blue while meticulously counting the payment to ensure they were not cheated. However, historical reality points to 1521, when Zwolle’s governors broke their oath of loyalty to the Duke of Gelre. The name refers to the fingers raised during the original pledge, which the residents then betrayed, effectively committing perjury.

Zwolle’s cultural and architectural legacy remains visible today. The Grote of Sint Michaëlskerk, featuring a 1721 Baroque organ by Arp Schnitger, stands as a testament to its history. The city was also a center for the Brethren of the Common Life, and the mystic Thomas à Kempis lived and died at the nearby Agnietenberg convent in 1471. In modern times, the city has maintained its reputation for excellence, with the restaurant De Librije earning three Michelin stars in 2004, and its history of liberation by Canadian soldier Léo Major in 1945 remains a point of civic pride.

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