World Heritage Trail
Visit De Beemster and experience the poetry of the straight line. Four centuries ago, new land and farms were laid out here according to the measurement of the Golden Mean. A geometric ideal that was said to have been perfectly executed here. Discover it for yourself!
The Beemster had other qualities besides the measurement of the Golden Mean. Namely, that of titillating pleasure resorts where puissant rich merchants from Amsterdam were quite lavish four centuries ago. To escape the city, they had capital 'buiten' built where they enjoyed everything the country offered them during the summer months. Unfortunately, few of these pleasure gardens have survived. What you can still see during the cycling tour are the capital farmhouses they had built for their landowners, often decorated with gables like their canal houses in Amsterdam.
Building on that prosperous history, The ...
The Beemster had other qualities besides the measurement of the Golden Mean. Namely, that of titillating pleasure resorts where puissant rich merchants from Amsterdam were quite lavish four centuries ago. To escape the city, they had capital 'buiten' built where they enjoyed everything the country offered them during the summer months. Unfortunately, few of these pleasure gardens have survived. What you can still see during the cycling tour are the capital farmhouses they had built for their landowners, often decorated with gables like their canal houses in Amsterdam.
Building on that prosperous history, today De Beemster is mainly a producer of good quality cheeses, apples, pears, grapes, vegetables and meat. Delicacies offered in roadside stalls or farm shops. Or in one of the many restaurants offering high-level cooking. So take a moment to pause on the cycling route to enjoy local delicacies.
While cycling, you will see the lush meadows where all that beauty grows, full of Dutch cows and with picturesque villages such as Grootschermer and De Rijp on the horizon. Along the western side you tour through the Eilandspolder, a watery peat meadow area teeming with birds in summer. They will cheerfully twitter at you as you cycle past.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
Fort along Middenweg
The fort on Middenweg is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
Fort along Middenweg
The fort on Middenweg is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
The fort is located on the southern ring dyke of polder De Beemster. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dike. An inundation sluice for the Beemster is located east of the fort. The purpose of the fort was to seal off and defend the accesses formed by the Middenweg and Zuiddijk roads. The original situation around the fort has been preserved: open polder landscape outside the Defence Line and the dike and canal inside the Defence Line.
The fort was used as a warehouse complex from unknown date until after 1974 and on 1-12-1950 as a gunpowder magazine. Later used by Eurometaal (vm Artillerie Inrichtingen); still in use in 1980/1983. Narrow gauge track was present for this purpose.
Facilities for a Detention and Residence Camp for political offenders were partially made in 1946 but the fort was not used as a camp.
Flora & Fauna are of great natural value. Due to strong temperature changes on the barren fort site, distinct dune vegetation occurs here. To be found are, among others, Wall Pepper, Sand Wall, Common Wallow, Jacob's Cross and Rough forget-me-not. Also found are Wolf's-foot, Red-water-herb and Pennywort. Long-eared owl and freshwater prawn are also residents of the nature reserve around the fort.
A special feature of this fort was the washroom for the soldiers. An ingenious system cleans rainwater before it enters the wash basins. The sinks themselves can be tipped over so that the dirty water flows away.
The Fort on Middenweg can be admired but not visited.
Fort on Jisperweg
The fort is located along the southern ring dyke of De Beemster polder. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dyke. The fort had until the closure and defence of the access to it." (The Jisperweg.)
Fort on Jisperweg
The fort is located along the southern ring dyke of De Beemster polder. The North Holland Canal runs behind the fort and the dyke. The fort had until the closure and defence of the access to it." (The Jisperweg.)
Commissioned in 1918 as a military house for about 20 detainees, not being conscientious objectors, of the court martial. Other detainees were locked up in the Fort along Nekkerweg or the Fort near Spijkerboor. From the ring dyke, the access road leads to the fort's throat side. The fort watchman's house and the iron storage shed are
no longer present.
A moat surrounds the entire fort; the access bridge is no longer present and has been replaced by a single dam. The main building has a door on the throat side and two windows with steel shutters to each room. The room leading to the pottery has a large double steel door. The front wall is still present and contains four machine gun emplacements and in the middle front, instead of a front building, a lifting turret building.
The nature reserve around the fort houses unusual birds such as the Golden Oriole and the Great Owl, among others. Particular plants include the Ground Featherweed, Ringleaf Vetch and Blue Woodruff.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
Fort near Spijkerboor
The fort near Spijkerboor was the main fort in the northern front of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. From here, the highly strategic dykes around the Beemsterringvaart and the North Holland Canal were defended.
The Fort near Spijkerboor was therefore equipped with the heaviest artillery of any fort in this part of the front. At the front, a rotating armoured turret was even fitted with two pieces of artillery of 10.5-centimetre calibre with a range of no less than ten kilometres. This turret and artillery are still present and can also be visited.
The two-storey fort building was used as a prison several times after the First World War. The bars in front of the windows and the interior murals date from those periods.
In 2026, the fort will reopen its doors for viewing! On these days, you can join guided tours, or set off on your own via a marked walking route.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
De Rijp town hall
In the historic centre of De Rijp stands the centuries-old Town Hall of De Rijp. This beautiful building was designed by Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater in 1630.
Despite the fire in January 1654, the building has been beautifully preserved. Fortunately for us, because this still allows us to enjoy it to this day.
In the Council House, there are many other beautiful things to see. For example, on the ground floor you will find a weighing facility, also known as De Waag. This is where cattle and agricultural and industrial products used to be weighed. How cool is that! Besides The Weigh House, there is much more to see in the Town Hall. Think for instance of an original 17th-century fire hose by Jan van der Heijden, portrait of Jan Boon (richest shipowner in De Rijp), portrait of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater and more.
De Rijp 's VVV is currently located in the Town Hall and is a popular wedding, meeting and presentation venue. The ground floor is freely accessible. A guided tour of the entire building requires an appointment.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
Museum Jan Boon
The Walhuis dates from 1725. Here you will find a small exhibition of records of Jan Boon, the last shipowner of De Rijp.
The Boon family was mainly involved in fishing, both whaling and herring fishing. After more than 100 years of vacancy, it was decided in 1983 to restore the former barn - the Walhuis (1725) - and give it a socio-cultural purpose. Here you will find an exhibition on the life and work of Jan Boon junior.
About Museum Jan Boon
Jan Boon's estate included not only various business assets, but also movable and immovable property that could be counted as private property of the Boon family. These items included documents of a personal nature, such as letters, a family bible, various household effects and a large collection of nautical maps by renowned Dutch cartographers. Some of the items were kept in the Society's premises and others in a barn (now the Walhuis) by the water. The condition of the items was, in many cases, downright poor. Stamps and parts of texts had been cut away, probably at the hands of the children of the various directors. Moreover, mould and mice and insects did not improve the condition of these documents. Documents were also given to third parties for inspection without any records.
After the foundation of the Rijper"Museum In 't Houten Huis" in 1937, it was decided to loan several pieces to the museum. Part of this collection is on permanent display there in the "living room" to this day.
Graft town hall
The former Graft Town Hall was built in 1613, commissioned by Prince Maurits. The building was built entirely in the Dutch Renaissance style.
Graft town hall
The former Graft Town Hall was built in 1613, commissioned by Prince Maurits. The building was built entirely in the Dutch Renaissance style.
It is characterised by the combined use of brick and natural stone, exuberant ornamentation with decorative brickwork, blocks of sandstone, gable stones and carved figures.
Since 1970, the year that Graft and De Rijp formed the municipality of Graft-De Rijp, the building no longer serves as a town hall. However, the old town hall has continued to serve as a wedding venue. The Town Hall also houses an annex of Museum In 't Houten Huis, museum for the Schermer Island. Changing exhibitions are held here every year. For opening hours and further details, visit the website of Museum In 't Houten Huis.
Town hall in Grootschermer
Grootschermer is proud of its old Town Hall and would like to give interested parties the opportunity to view the building from the inside. You will also find small-scale exhibitions about the village and its surroundings.
Town hall in Grootschermer
Grootschermer is proud of its old Town Hall and would like to give interested parties the opportunity to view the building from the inside. You will also find small-scale exhibitions about the village and its surroundings.
From 1 May to 30 September, the Council House is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm. The Raadhuis is also available as a meeting and wedding location. Grootschermer Town Hall is the perfect meeting location for your company or organisation. The tranquillity of the rural area, combined with the historic appearance of the Council Chamber in the magnificent National Monument, create the optimal ambience for a successful meeting.
Corn mill The Nightingale
After De Beemster was reclaimed in 1612, the intention was to build five corn mills in the reclamation area. It ended up being one.
Corn mill The Nightingale
After De Beemster was reclaimed in 1612, the intention was to build five corn mills in the reclamation area. It ended up being one.
This octagonal ground-sailer, also known as an octagonal outcrosser, was probably built in 1669. The mill has been moved several times. In October 2013, after the mill was moved again a few years earlier, restoration was completed.
Fort Benoorden | Purmerend
Fort Benoorden is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
Fort Benoorden | Purmerend
Fort Benoorden is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Hollandse Waterlinies'. This defensive line of forts was built 15 to 20 kilometres around Amsterdam between 1880 and 1914.
Within this ring, the army, government and king could retreat in case of (possible) attacks on the Netherlands. An ingenious system allowed the land around the defence line to be flooded. Too shallow for boats and too deep for men and horses. Five forts and an inundation sluice of this defence line are located in De Beemster.
This fort was built to defend the vulnerable points formed by the Beemsterringdijk, Purmerenderweg and Rijperweg roads. The defensible earthwork was completed in 1895. The bombproof main building from 1912 is connected by covered corridors to the two lifting turret buildings. Today, wine is stored between the thick walls of this fort, as a wine importer has been located here since 1981.
The fort north of Purmerend was only added to the Defence Line of Amsterdam at a late stage (1907). The construction of this fort, which is part of the northern front of the Defence Line, made use of several new insights. One of the novelties applied was the construction of so-called poternes - corridors covered with steel and concrete - which formed a completely safe connection between the main building and the artillery units.
Poternes were constructed to the two lifting turrets, which housed the large artillery pieces, and to the machine gun emplacements set up at the front. On the right side of the fort's front, part of the terrain was excavated. This was done when a new access road was built.
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