World Heritage Squared
Dykes, forts, an inundation sluice, panoramic views over land that has been reclaimed from water, the lowest-lying arboretum in the world, farmhouses and stalls where you can buy the most delicious regional products that the Beemster has in season, directly from the land. You will find it all along this trail.
The connecting routes make it possible to shorten this walking route to a length of 10 or 14 kilometers. The route can be extended to 20 km if you combine the route with the Canal Walk or City Walk through Purmerend.
Reclamation de Beemster
The Beemster in North Holland is a textbook exampl…
Dykes, forts, an inundation sluice, panoramic views over land that has been reclaimed from water, the lowest-lying arboretum in the world, farmhouses and stalls where you can buy the most delicious regional products that the Beemster has in season, directly from the land. You will find it all along this trail.
The connecting routes make it possible to shorten this walking route to a length of 10 or 14 kilometers. The route can be extended to 20 km if you combine the route with the Canal Walk or City Walk through Purmerend.
Reclamation de Beemster
The Beemster in North Holland is a textbook example of how the Dutch have reclaimed large parts of their country. This 17th century polder was set up to convert the threatening inland lake the Beemstermeer into fertile and profitable agricultural land. A sturdy dyke of 42 kilometers long was built around the wild lake and a ring canal was dug around it. Then, 43 windmills started pumping the water out of the lake.
In 1612 De Beemster was fully dry and the layout of the polder could begin. Roads were built, road ditches and plot ditches were dug and farms were built. All this happened according to an orderly and strict geometric pattern. De Beemster owes its fame to this rational subdivision and layout.
Dutch Water Lines (the Defense Line of Amsterdam)
The Defense Line of Amsterdam is a defense line of forts that was built between 1880 and 1914, 15 to 20 kilometers around Amsterdam. Within this ring, the army, the government and the king could withdraw from (possible) attacks on the Netherlands. Through an ingenious system, the land around the defense line could be flooded. Too shallow for boats and too deep for soldiers on foot and cavalry. This made raids more difficult. However, even before construction was completed, the defence line was already obsolete by the advent of the airplane.
During the two world wars, the forts were put in a state of defense. Ultimately, there was never any fighting on the forts. Five forts and an inundation lock of this defense line are located in De Beemster. Some of these fascinating buildings can still be admired in their original state. Other fortresses have been given a new destination, such as the Fort aan de Nekkerweg, which is now a wellness resort.
Since July 2021, UNESCO has placed the Dutch Water Lines on the World Heritage List. The defense lines, the Defense Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Water Line, will continue as one World Heritage Site under the name 'Dutch Water Lines'.
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Dit ga je zien
Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) Purmerend
Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) PurmerendTOPs are Tourist Transfer Points. You can park your car at each TOP and then discover the rural surroundings by bike, on foot or by boat.
Information panel Slot Purmersteijn | Slotplein
Information panel Slot Purmersteijn | SlotpleinThe Slotplein is an important, historic place for Purmerend. There is not much left to see now, but this used to be the location of an enormous castle, with large donjons on the corners and huge halls. Even bigger than the Muiderslot!
Information panel Necker-Poort | Neckerdijk
Information panel Necker-Poort | NeckerdijkThe Neckerpoort (Neck Gate) is one of the five former gates of the old city of Purmerend.
Painted panels
Painted panelsLook at the panels on the building on the corner of the Nieuwstraat and the Gouw. These panels show a piece of Purmerend’s history.
Information panel Postbrug | Herengracht
Information panel Postbrug | HerengrachtThe first building outside the city walls of Purmerend was built around 1900. The impressive mansions on the Herengracht and Emmakade are still here today.
Information panel Bastion | Wolthuissingel
Information panel Bastion | WolthuissingelThe Bastion, or stronghold, was built in 1645 in order to strengthen the defenses of the city.
Koemarkt (Cattle Market)
Koemarkt (Cattle Market)Until the eighties of the last century, Purmerend was a bustling 'Market City'. Every week, the Koemarkt would be full of cattle, ready to be sold.
Information panel Kaasmarkt (Cheese Market)
Information panel Kaasmarkt (Cheese Market)The Kaasmarkt in Purmerend has a market history of more than 600 years. The first small-scale market was held here in 1484, when it was still called Marktveld and was no more than a small square.
Oostdijk / Beemsterringvaart | World Heritage Site the Beemster Reclamation
Oostdijk / Beemsterringvaart | World Heritage Site the Beemster ReclamationIn 1607 the States of Holland and West Friesland granted permission to drain the Beemster lake. It would be a profitable project that could also contribute to the food supply of fast-growing Amsterdam.
Information panel Buter family
Information panel Buter familyThis information panel tells the story of the 'forgotten' keeper of Fort Benoorden and his family.
Fort Benoorden
Fort BenoordenFort Benoorden is one of the fortresses of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Dutch Water Lines'. This defense line was constructed between 1880 and 1914, 15 to 20 kilometers around Amsterdam.
Information panel Deutzen-Hofje farm
Information panel Deutzen-Hofje farmThis farm was built in 1881 by order of the Amsterdam Deutzenhofje. This distinguished court on the Prinsengracht was built in 1694-95, financed from the estate of Agneta Deutz.
Fort on the Nekkerweg
Fort on the NekkerwegThe fortress on the Nekkerweg is one of the fortresses of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Dutch Water Lines'. This defense line was constructed between 1880 and 1914, 15 to 20 kilometers around Amsterdam.
Rustenhoven
RustenhovenThis mansion was built in Louis XV style. It stands on the site of a former country estate. Striking are the 'corner pilasters' and decorated entrance with the year 1768 and the coat of arms.
Intersection Volgerweg / Middenweg
Intersection Volgerweg / MiddenwegThis intersection is also known as the 'crossroads of four centuries of architecture'.
"De Eenhoorn" farm
"De Eenhoorn" farmFarm "De Eenhoorn" (the Unicorn) is a prime example of a farmhouse in De Beemster. The living area is made of brick and the rear-extended stable area of wood.
Fort on the Middenweg
Fort on the MiddenwegThe fortress on the Middenweg is one of the fortresses of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Dutch Water Lines'. This defense line was constructed between 1880 and 1914, 15 to 20 kilometers around Amsterdam.
Inundatiesluis in Zuidelijke Beemsterringdijk
Inundatiesluis in Zuidelijke BeemsterringdijkDe Inundatiesluis maakt onderdeel uit van de Stelling van Amsterdam en werd aangelegd door het Departement van Oorlog tussen 1890 en 1891.
Information panel 'Water Against the Enemy'
Information panel 'Water Against the Enemy'This information panel tells the story of the Inundation Lock from the Second World War to the present.
Information panel "Beemster War Memories"
Information panel "Beemster War Memories"Read about De Beemster in the Second World War on this information panel.
Information panel Beemster-Poort | Beemsterburgwal
Information panel Beemster-Poort | BeemsterburgwalThe Beemster-Poort (Beemster Gate) was the fifth and last city gate to be built around Purmerend.
Information panel "remarkable house"
Information panel "remarkable house"This house was built around 1900 by contractor Kerkhof. He was also the first resident.
Information panel "Mariënheuvel"
Information panel "Mariënheuvel"Mariënheuvel is one of the last remaining country estates in the Beemster. The country estate has existed since the reclamation of the Beemster in 1612 as inner lot 96 and was owned by Dick van Os, one of the founders of the Dutch East India Company.
Information panel "wooden house"
Information panel "wooden house"The "Kringenwet" is a Dutch law from 1814, revised in 1853. The purpose of the law was to keep the field of fire around fortifications free. Demolition, construction, harvesting and planting within the Forbidden Circles was regulated in this law.
Beemster Arboretum
Beemster ArboretumThe Beemster Arboretum is a unique collection of plants and trees that can continue to grow until the end of days in a park-like environment in the Beemster.
Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) Purmerend
Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) PurmerendTOPs are Tourist Transfer Points. You can park your car at each TOP and then discover the rural surroundings by bike, on foot or by boat.
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