450 year Leeghwater
450 years of Leeghwater
In 2025, we will celebrate 450 years of Leeghwater, in honour of the birth of Jan Adriaenszn Leeghwater in De Rijp. This famous mill builder and hydraulic engineer had a lasting impact on the Dutch landscape. That is why this year the Land of Leeghwater is marked by festive events and commemorations. Discover the history of Leeghwater on this page and stay informed about all the festivities surrounding 450 years of Leeghwater.
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Land of Leeghwater
Land of Leeghwater
Discover the Land of Leeghwater: a story of herring fishing, whaling, trade and windmills. Centuries of battling the water have created this unique landscape full of dykes, polders and reclaimed land.
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Festive activities
Festive activities
During 450 years of Leeghwater, we will celebrate his legacy with exhibitions, theatre, music, tours and markets, culminating in a spectacular closing event in his home village of De Rijp.
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Jan Adriaenszn Leeghwater
Jan Adriaenszn Leeghwater
Leeghwater’s story is that of a man with humble roots, a go-getter with a boundless vision. He was a dreamer, an innovator and someone who took on the elements. Admired and praised, but also criticised and viewed with suspicion. 450 years after his birth, his legacy lives on in the landscape and history of the Netherlands.
Events calendar: 450 years of Leeghwater - Festive activities in the Land van Leeghwater
The anniversary year in honour of Leeghwater is a mix of new and existing activities, focusing on the connection between city and countryside. With a festive opening and a smashing closing in De Rijp, we will celebrate his legacy. Based on four themes, we will dive into the history of the region and make the link to the present and the future.
Who was Jan Adriaenszn Leeghwater? - The origins of the Land van Leeghwater
Jan Adriaenszn Leeghwater (1575–1650) was born in the village De Rijp, which was a hamlet at the time. As the third son of a carpenter, he learnt the trade from his father, but his passion lay with windmills. As was customary at the time, he was given the surname Adriaenszoon, after his father. He developed his skills as a mill builder and devised improvements, including a mill that pressed oil from rapeseed.
De Beemster Polder
His fame did not stem from his windmills, but from a remarkable ‘water contraption’ that allowed him to remain underwater for long periods. This caught the attention of Princes Maurits and Hendrik and led to a patent in 1605. A year later, he demonstrated his skill at the Amsterdam fair. The wealthy merchant Dirck van Oss, co-founder of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), asked Leeghwater for advice on the reclamation of the Beemster.
Leeghwater
After the success of the Beemster, he soon became known as 'Leeghwater'. Dirck van Oss also involved him in his plans to reclaim the Purmer, and subsequently he also became an advisor in the reclamation of the Wormer and the Bijlmermeer. Leeghwater was also approached for other projects, such as designing carillons for churches in Amsterdam and De Rijp and replacing a wooden lock in De Rijp.
Hydraulic engineering
He made his name primarily as a hydraulic engineer and was sought after internationally for projects in Germany, Belgium, France and England. His greatest passion was the battle against the water. Leeghwater worked on the reclamation of the Starnmeer and dreamt of the Haarlemmermeer, but this project failed. Leeghwater died in Amsterdam in 1650. His exact burial place is unknown, but his influence lives on in North Holland.
Land van Leeghwater
There are streets, buildings, bridges, pumping stations, events, concerts and other activities named after him. For over 25 years, the countryside between Alkmaar and Purmerend has been presented as the Land of Leeghwater. All of this pays tribute to the man who had an undeniable influence on the development of North Holland as we know it today, 450 years after his birth.
Want to know more about Jan Adriaenszn or the celebration of 450 years of Leeghwater? Then check out all the ins and outs on the Alkmaar Splendour City page.