The Ripe & Graft
in the Land of Leeghwater
De Rijp - Birthplace of Jan Leeghwater
One of the most beautiful villages in this area is De Rijp; the birthplace of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater. Here you can walk right into his world. And that of other prosperous Dutchmen in the Golden Age. Back then, De Rijp was one of the richest villages in Laag Holland. The stately captains' and ship owners' houses and the town halls of both De Rijp and the neighbouring village of Graft are proof of this. Nowadays, you will also find many galleries, studios and art shops. Many cultural events are also organised, such as the Book and Art Market, the Midwinter Festival and Art on Rooms.
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Museum in the Wooden House
Museum in the Wooden House
Museum in 't Houten Huis gives a good idea of the rich and historical past of the Schermer Island. Visit one of the exhibitions or take a boat trip to the Fort near Spijkerboor or the Museummolen in Schermerhorn.
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De Rijp town hall
De Rijp town hall
A monumental town hall designed by Leeghwater in 1630. Today, this unique location is home to VVV De Rijp and on the ground floor you will find an original weighing facility (De Waag), where cattle and agricultural and industrial products used to be weighed.
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Cultural highlights of De Rijp
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Museum Jan Boon
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis was built around 1725 as the warehouse of the very prosperous shipowner and merchant family Boon. The museum offers a glimpse into the life of Jan Boon, the village's last shipowner.
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Great Church
Great Church
The Dutch Reformed Church is particularly famous for its 23 stained-glass windows (Rijper Glazen). The tombstone floor in the church is actually one big collection of small monuments, but the organ is also an absolute highlight.
Graft - A tiny village, but a big history.
With around 890 inhabitants, Graft is one of the smallest villages in Laag Holland and the Land of Leeghwater. Nevertheless, this small village has a rich history. Graft, for instance, is one of the oldest settlements on the former Schermer Island. About half of the working population earned their living on the water through herring fishing and whaling. And those who did not earn their living at sea, did so on the farm, in one of the hemp mills or in the liner. Today, there are still many reminders of those glory days. For instance, the village has over 45 national and municipal monuments, of which the completely Renaissance-style town hall in particular is not to be missed. Next to the town hall is the remarkable tombstone floor of the former Dutch Reformed Church from the 17th century. The church has since been demolished, but the tombstone floor - with over 157 tombstones! - has fortunately been preserved.
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Graft town hall
This entirely Renaissance-style 'rectory' was built in the prosperous 17th century. Its exuberant decoration in brick and natural stone is striking. The old town hall functioned as a 'rechthuis' or town hall until 1970. Today, it is a museum and wedding venue.
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Marble floor
Right next to the town hall is a special tombstone floor of the former Dutch Reformed Church. The church was demolished in the 1950s due to decay, but the tombstone floor has been preserved. And fortunately so! Press the button on the information column and listen to the best stories about the inhabitants of Graft who found their last resting place here.
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Bram & Aagie
Graft used to be home to many baker families of various faiths, the vast majority of them Baptist. This little shop - just 5.5m2 - was one such Baptist shop. Bram and Aagie van Petten ran the shop and in 2006 grandson Jaap reopened it selling real old Dutch confectionery.
