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Put on the map | Walking route

(15 km)

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This walking route through De Beemster takes you past beautiful farms, unusual houses, old factories and historic spots.

Soon after De Beemster was drained, it became clear that the soil was too wet for arable farming due to subsidence and insufficient drainage possibilities. De Beemster turned green: a cattle breeding area from where dairy products were traded to the cities. Beemster cheese has been a household name for centuries!

Livestock farming went through good and bad periods over the centuries. In a trio of outbreaks of...

Livestock farming went through good and bad periods over the centuries. In three outbreaks of rinderpest in the eighteenth century, almost two-thirds of the cattle died. But there were also good periods such as in the third quarter of the nineteenth century. At that time, many stolp farms were built or rebuilt with rich decorations in the woodwork on the facade. After the reclamation of De Beemster in 1612, people built estates and pleasure gardens to stay during the summer months. It was an escape from the heat and stench of the cities. Especially in the south of the polder, on Volgerweg and Zuiderweg, beautiful country houses were built. Due to economic decline and the changing tastes of the elite, most of these estates were sold and demolished around 1800. Virtually nothing can be seen of them now....

Yet there are still beautiful farmhouses, unusual residences, old factories and historical sites worth visiting. These locations have therefore been "Put on the map!". At each location you can read a story: what it looked like, what stood here, factories that have disappeared or have been converted into homes. In short, a voyage of discovery through De Beemster past and present.

The tour can be started at any point. The whole route is about 40 km long. In Middenbeemster, the small route can be walked, length about 3 km.

Put on the map! was a project to mark the 400th anniversary of De Beemster in 2012.

Important information:

Download the PDF file for the walking route and all 'On the map signs'.
The tour can be started at any point.
The walking route is about 15 kilometres long and the cycling route is about 40 km long. A smaller route of +/- 3 km can be walked in Middenbeemster.

Take a closer look

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Starting point:

Beemster Visitor Centre
Middenweg 185
1462 HJ Middenbeemster

Beemster visitor centre

Getting to know the Beemster World Heritage Site starts with a visit to the Beemster Visitor Centre. Here you will find all the information you need. There are books, leaflets and (cycling) routes that lead past beautiful monuments and interesting sights.