Flows in Waterland
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flows
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flows
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flows
Where there’s a will, there’s a waterway. Or a waterwork. For although water always seeks and finds the easiest way, the ‘Waterland man’ will take the most difficult way if he has to – depending on what he wants. By working together with the water one moment and then fighting it the next. This interaction with water has marked both man and landscape. Join us on a journey along this story trail of waterworks and waterways and discover picturesque places and colourful people. Go with the flow and discover the waterworks and waterways in Waterland van Friesland.
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1/ Wouda pumping station
1/ Wouda pumping station
Waterland’s arteries are filled with water. In the battle against excessively high or low water levels, the Ir. D.F. Wouda pumping station from 1920 is still one of the beating hearts.
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2/ Frisian lakes
2/ Frisian lakes
The Frisian lakes that everyone enjoys now haven’t always been there. There are several stories about their origins.
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3/ Eel fishing
3/ Eel fishing
Go with the flow and follow the eels in Waterland van Friesland. As a result of sustainable eel management in Friesland, prosperous times are slowly returning.
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4/ Aqueduct
4/ Aqueduct
Going from A to B overland around 1400? Impossible! The water was the highway then. Waterland was far too ‘soggy’ at the time to move over land. This gave rise to a sophisticated network of waterways, which now everyone can enjoy in their own way.
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5/ Skûtsjesilen
5/ Skûtsjesilen
In July and August, traditionally ‘skûtsjesilen’ takes place on the Frisian lakes.
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6/ Wood saw mill
6/ Wood saw mill
Like water flows from high elevation to low, so air flows from high pressure to low. The energy of flowing air is captured in the sails of wood sawmill De Rat in IJlst, where logs are sawn into planks.
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7/ Drowned land
7/ Drowned land
In 1680, the wind drove water levels so high that the water drowned an entire village.
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8/ Cliffs
8/ Cliffs
On the shores of the IJsselmeer in Gaasterland you will find the only three cliffs in the Netherlands: Oudemirdum, Mirns and the Rode Klif (red cliff) near Warns.
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9/ Bend of Molkwar
9/ Bend of Molkwar
Meander along the IJsselmeer shores on the ‘Noorderdijk’, between Hindeloopen and Stavoren, and stop at the ‘Bocht fan Molkwar’.
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10/ Raised village
10/ Raised village
There’s no better option for anyone wanting to experience the life of times gone by than in Allingawier and the museum village found here.
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11/ Towpath
11/ Towpath
Are you familiar with them? Those delightful narrow little paths along the waterways? They are our towpaths.
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12/ Pingjumer Gulden Halsband
12/ Pingjumer Gulden Halsband
Snake along on this thousand-yearold seawall. A ‘gulden’ or ‘golden’ spot for cycling, walking or horse riding.
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13/ The Afsluitdijk
13/ The Afsluitdijk
Is the iconic Afsluitdijk the start or end of your journey along the waterways and waterworks? The fact is, you really shouldn’t miss it, as you must see the Afsluitdijk, even if only once in your life.
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Taking a flight over the Netherlands from the comfort of your armchair? And while doing so, read 'along the way' about various waterworks in the Netherlands, including the Woudagemaal and the Afsluitdijk? Then click ahead and experience Holland.com's Waterexperience. Fly criss-cross over the waterworks. If you want to know more about a particular waterwork, simply click on the icon and start with a short film about the location. You can then fly over the location as if you were a bird!
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