So you are looking for off the beaten path things to do in Zeeland? Here are some hidden gems to visit. You won’t be disappointed!
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Table of contents
Introducing Zeeland
Zeeland is one of the most Southern provinces of the Netherlands, well known for its beaches and its engineering feat of the Delta Works. Bordering Belgium, large parts of its islands and peninsulas are below sea level. So it won’t come as a surprise that there are lots of locations right at the water’s edge. Let’s explore!
The Five Best Off The Beaten Path Destinations in Zeeland
Show casing some hidden gems which are worth a visit. First, Zeeland’s provincial capital.
Middelburg: Capital of Zeeland
Dating back to the late 8th century CE, Middelburg started as a fortified town against Viking raids. In the 10th century, they started building their main church “Lange Jan” (literally Tall John) and it became an important trading center during the Middle Ages.
In terms of technology, Middelburg was a center of lens crafting and often gets credit for the invention of the microscope and telescope in the late 16th century.
Second World War: Widespread Destruction
During the early phase of the world war, about a third of the city center was destroyed by bombs and fire. Late 1944, British troops liberated Middelburg and rebuilding could get started. Middelburg tried to rebuild and restore as much of the old buildings as possible.
Middelburg Nowadays
Worth a visit for its historic character, Middelburg still has canal houses similar to Amsterdam and two of the old city gates survived the war destruction and can be visited.
Built in 1735, Molen de Hoop still proudly stands and is a popular background for your off the beaten path pictures in Zeeland. It is on the list of national monuments in the Netherlands.
The Ring Jouster
When we arrived in downtown Middelburg, I noticed this guy on a horse with a lance. Clearly this had to be some kind of medieval warrior, saving Zeeland from invading Vikings, Spanish, Germans or whoever was targeting us at that particular moment. Not unlike Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
Wrong! Although ring jousting harks back to the medieval jousting tournaments where two knights tried to dislodge each other from their horse, it is a much friendlier version. The contemporary version is a sport in which riders try to catch a ring on the tip of their spear while galloping.
Even more surprising, ring jousting is the official state sport of Maryland! Not only were they the first ones to declare a state sport, they also chose this highly unusual one!
Vlissingen: a Fishy and Spicy History
Often known as “Flushing” to English speakers, this town is strategically located between the Scheldt river and the North Sea. Since the only way to reach Antwerp by water leads past Vlissingen, it has a long history of invaders. Over time it has been occupied by the British, the French, the Germans and the Spanish…
In The Beginning, There Was… Fish
First mentioned in 620 C.E. as a fish stand on the Scheldt, it took until 1315 before Vlissingen got its city rights. Fishing to this day is an important part of the Vlissingen’s economy.
The Dutch East India Company: Spices
Since Vlissingen had a good harbor and is so close to the North Sea, many of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C in Dutch) ship started their trading journey right here in Vlissingen. As a dominant trading power (spices, porcelain and more) as well as the world’s first joint-stock company, the Dutch East India Company helped to start the Amsterdam stock exchange.
Second World War
During the Second World War, there was lots of damage because shelling. In November 1944 Vlissingen got liberated by British Commandos. Nowadays there is a memorial site at the so called Uncle Beach.
Flushing, Queens, New York City
Did you know that Flushing, in the borough of Queens, New York was named after Vlissingen? Starting in 1645 as Vlissingen, it briefly was named Vlishing until the British settled on “the Town of Flushing” in 1664.
Domburg: a Seaside Resort for the Rich
Even during the times of the Roman empire, Domburg already was a spa city with thermal baths and a bath house. More recently, starting in the first half of the 19th century, the town grew as place to enjoy clean sea air and sea water therapy for healing various ailments.
In 1889, a luxurious bath pavilion was built, which is still in use to this day as a Michelin starred restaurant Het Badpaviljoen. One of these off the beaten path amazing restaurants!
Piet Mondrian Looks Out over the Dunes
Because its scenic location off the beaten path in Zeeland, artists have been living and working in Domburg since the early 20th century. These include Piet Mondriaan, who painted his “View from the Dunes with Beach and Piers” here in 1909.
Tiengemeten: Get Off The Beaten Path On the Ferry
If you enjoy birding and nature and you need a break from being a cultural tourist, consider taking the ferry to the island of Tiengemeten. The island is small enough to explore in a few hours and there are a variety of hiking paths to get fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty. This truly will get you off the beaten path in Zeeland
the Delta Works: One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
After a devastating flood in 1953, Dutch engineers decided that enough was enough and it was time to prevent future disasters by construction of dams, locks, dykes, levees, and storm surge barriers located in the provinces of South Holland and Zeeland.
In 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of Seven Wonders of the Modern World, and the Delta Works is one of them. So although it is not very “off the beaten path”, it definitely is worth a visit.
Bonus: Two Off The Beaten Path Things To Do in North Brabant
Since North Brabant is right next to Zeeland, you might want to consider some fun destinations there too.
Zundert: Birth place of Vincent Van Gogh
Do you know where the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh was born? It was in in Zundert, a small town in the South of The Netherlands, not far from Zeeland. Find out about his brief stint as a missionary and other Geeky Van Gogh Facts You Need to Know.
Oudenbosch: Copies of the St Peter
Just imagine driving around in the Netherlands, everything is flat and you can see miles around. Suddenly you see a church which suspiciously looks like the St Peter in Rome! No, you didn’t take a wrong turn, there actually are TWO smaller copies of the St Peter right in Oudenbosch, close to Zeeland.
But First Go to Confession…
When we visited this cathedral, we discovered a great restaurant / café right next to it named “De Biecht” (The Confession). Not only do they have good food and beer, they also print a list of sins on their placemat, so you will be well prepared to go to confession if that was your plan for the day.
The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.
Alice Morse Earle
Conclusion: Off The Beaten Path in Zeeland
As you can see, there are lots of hidden gems in Zeeland, I hope you get to visit them some day! Have you been to Zeeland? What was your favorite destination / thing to do?
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