Put on the map | Cycle route

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 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. 40 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.

Op de kaart gezet! was a project on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of De Beemster in 2012.

Important information:

• Download the PDF file for the cycle route and all 'Put on the map' signs.