Schokland
An island once swallowed by the Zuiderzee, now an “island on land” after land reclamation, and the Netherlands' first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Schokland was originally a long, narrow island in the Zuiderzee, whose residents battled storm surges for centuries. In 1859 flooding threatened the island and the government ordered its evacuation. In 1942, after the Noordoostpolder was drained, it became a “land island” rising slightly above green fields. In 1995 it was inscribed as the Netherlands' first World Heritage Site, as a symbol of the country's struggle with water. Surviving highlights include the timber-pile revetments, the small church and museum in Middelbuurt, the lighthouse remains and glacial erratic boulders found on the seabed. Museum admission is about €8, and cycling or walking around the island takes about 2 hours. It is about 25 minutes' drive from Giethoorn and can be combined with Blokzijl as a day trip.
Opening hours
Museum about 10:00–17:00 (may open on weekends only in winter)
Nearby sights
- Vollenhove
- Blokzijl
- Weerribben-Wieden National Park
- Ossenzijl & De Weerribben Visitor Centre
- Kalenberg
- De Wieden Visitor Centre & Laarzenpad
- Dwarsgracht
- Giethoorn