Giethoorn

Instead of roadways Giethoorn has waterways and pathways. This was not exceptional for a farming community in this area in the olden days, but these villagers upheld traditions!

Why are there so many canals in this “Venice of the Netherlands”? Originally this was a village of peat workers: Poor people who laboured in peat diggings – under miserable conditions. When peat had been excavated, the pit would fill with water and take on the appearance of the narrow ditches you see today. Wider canals were used for transporting turf out of the area by boat to sell it in towns. After 1750, some villagers started keeping livestock. The waterways still came in handy to transport the animals from peat meadow to peat meadow for grazing. But much more of village life took place on the waterways. The baker and grocer would deliver their goods to the door by punt. Farmers who still worked part-time in the peat diggings, or as reed cutters, fishermen, hunters or poachers, went to work by punt and come back at the end of the day with some turf (fuel for cooking and heating); or with some meat or fish for the evening meal. Even wedding and funeral processions took place by punt.
What can you do in Giethoorn to absorb some cultural history? You could visit ‘t Olde Maat Uus, a farmhouse (1800 AD) with an authentic traditional Giethoorn interior. On the grounds, check out a grocer’s shop, fisherman’s hut, a small drainage windmill and a haystack.
If you would like to see how the punts of Giethoorn are constructed and restored using traditional craftsmanship, you can visit Scheepswerf Schreur, a boatyard dating to the beginning of the 18th century. Eleven generations later, there is also a modern hall, where other types of boats are built using innovative techniques.
Shopaholics may enjoy Gloria Maris, an unusual boutique / gallery where all the products are decorated with sea shells, from trinkets to flipflops to lamps. Another museum & shop is De Oude Aarde which sells minerals, precious stones and fossils from all over the world.
In 2015, the villagers entered Giethoorn as a candidate town for the world edition of Monopoly. They managed to generate so many votes for the village that Giethoorn now figures in the famous board game amongst the major cities of the world! They are certainly good at their marketing!