Living below sea level

Water heritage Friesland

From the ancient mound landscapes and the earliest dikes such as the Pingjumer Gulden Halsband to the more recent Afsluitdijk, Kweldercentrum Noarderleech and the Lauwersmeer lake area. You will discover traces of the relationship between man and the sea everywhere in the Wadden area. The inhabitants learned how to cope with the water better and better. They built dams and dikes, began draining, and using sluices to create dry land and polders. Living below sea level? It’s only the rest of the world that finds this strange.

Afsluitdijk: one dike, many stories

After 85 years of excellent service the Afsluitdijk is getting a reboot. There is so much to tell that a special visitors centre has been opened near Kornwerderzand: Afsluitdijk Wadden Center. Come and take a look?

Read the whole story

1000 years of Pingjumer Gouden Halsband

Stroll over what is probably the oldest dike in the Netherlands via the Pingjumer Gulden Halsband. And with famous people such as Menno Simons and the popular Grutte Pier there is always something interesting just around the corner.

Read the whole story

Hogebeintum: highest mound in the Netherlands

Visit one of Europe's oldest cultural landscapes: terpenland. At 8.80 above NAP (normal Amsterdam water level) Hegebeintum is the crown jewel of terpenland. Get directions at the visitors centre.

Read the whole story

Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen: impressive sea locks

If there is one place on the coast of Friesland where human influence is most visible it definitely has to be Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen. The impressive sea locks were built in 1729 by hydraulic engineer Willem Loré and are still just as amazing today.

Read the whole story

Water heritage Friesland

Afsluitdijk: one dike, many stories

1000 years of Pingjumer Gouden Halsband

Hogebeintum: highest mound in the Netherlands

Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen: impressive sea locks

Don't miss a thing!