Broek in Waterland is a village in the Zaanstreek-Waterland, in the Dutch province North Holland. It is known for its lovely, typically old-Dutch atmosphere and wooden houses in soft colours.
Broek in Waterland was originally a fishermen's village, and for that reason its church is dedicated to St. Nicolas, the patron saint of seafarers. From the mid 16th century, however, this economic activity was rapidly replaced by stock farming and the production of dairy, for which many houses were extended with an adjoining stable on the back side. The dairy products were transported to Amsterdam by boat. The harbour thus remained vital for the village, and is still characteristic of Broek en Waterland. In the 17th and 18th century, this town was a wealthy place where many impressive houses were built for local families.
For centuries, the picturesque nature of the village was known even outside the Netherlands and it was praised for its cleanliness. From the 17th century, the town was a popular tourist destination for people from nearby Amsterdam but received foreign guests as well. Napoleon famously came to visit here. Much earlier, Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, visited the village but was refused to enter a farm, allegedly because the woman of the house had no time.
Just wandering around the village will reveal most of its charm to any traveller. More than 80 of its traditional houses have are listed as National Heritage Sites, although most are still in use as family houses.
- Sint-Nicolaaskerk, Kerkplein 1. The old village church was built in 1628, after a previous structure had been destroyed in the Eighty Years' War. Thorough renovations in 1989 revealed long lost fresco's of cherubs and fruit guirlandes on the ceiling. The church doubles as a gallery, with modern art for sale.
- Het Beroemde Huis, De Erven 10-14, +31 6-24687555. This place has beautiful 17th century wall paintings, which for many years were hidden under layers of paint. Unfortunately, tours are available for groups only, but calling ahead might give you a spot on them.
Sint-Nicolaaskerk, Kerkplein 1. The old village church was built in 1628, after a previous structure had been destroyed in the Eighty Years' War. Thorough renovations in 1989 revealed long lost fresco's of cherubs and fruit guirlandes on the ceiling. The church doubles as a gallery, with modern art for sale.
Het Beroemde Huis, De Erven 10-14, +31 6-24687555. This place has beautiful 17th century wall paintings, which for many years were hidden under layers of paint. Unfortunately, tours are available for groups only, but calling ahead might give you a spot on them.
The large majority of visitors come here just to enjoy the looks and feel of this cosy village. The main activities of course reflect that goal.
- Biking or hiking through the village and the flat surroundings. The tourist information office has information on a good number of marked bike-routes and walking tracks through the region, many of which pass through or even start in Broek in Waterland.
- Canoeing & boat tours are another fun way to see the area. There are routes available online or from your boat rental agency. If you're interested, rent a canoe or small electric boat from Broeker Bootverhuur, Drs. V. Disweg 4, +31 20-4033209. From €10 per day for a canoe to €17,50 p/h or €50 p/4h for a small boat, cash only..
Biking or hiking through the village and the flat surroundings. The tourist information office has information on a good number of marked bike-routes and walking tracks through the region, many of which pass through or even start in Broek in Waterland.
Canoeing & boat tours are another fun way to see the area. There are routes available online or from your boat rental agency. If you're interested, rent a canoe or small electric boat from Broeker Bootverhuur, Drs. V. Disweg 4, +31 20-4033209. From €10 per day for a canoe to €17,50 p/h or €50 p/4h for a small boat, cash only..
- De Drie Noten, Parallelweg 3, +31 20 403 12 95. A small bistro-style place with a limited menu and simple but tasty dishes for a good price. Dishes include entrecote with sauces and salad, chicken madras curry and monkfish with spicy tomato-sauce. mains from €11.
- De Witte Swaen, Dorpsstraat 11-13, +31 20 403 15 25. A pancake restaurant with some 60 different sweet and savory pancakes and the typical Dutch poffertjes (thick, mini-pancakes). However, if you'd rather eat something else, there's a range of salads, fish and meat dishes as well. €5-15.
De Drie Noten, Parallelweg 3, +31 20 403 12 95. A small bistro-style place with a limited menu and simple but tasty dishes for a good price. Dishes include entrecote with sauces and salad, chicken madras curry and monkfish with spicy tomato-sauce. mains from €11.
De Witte Swaen, Dorpsstraat 11-13, +31 20 403 15 25. A pancake restaurant with some 60 different sweet and savory pancakes and the typical Dutch poffertjes (thick, mini-pancakes). However, if you'd rather eat something else, there's a range of salads, fish and meat dishes as well. €5-15.
- Postal services, Havenrak 33. Tu:8AM-12.30(noon), Mo, Wed-Fri: 8:30AM-12.30(noon), 1:30PM-6PM, Sa:8AM-4PM. Inside the Spar supermarket there's a postal service point where you can buy stamps. For more complex services, you'll have to go to a larger destination in the area, e.g. Amsterdam.
Postal services, Havenrak 33. Tu:8AM-12.30(noon), Mo, Wed-Fri: 8:30AM-12.30(noon), 1:30PM-6PM, Sa:8AM-4PM. Inside the Spar supermarket there's a postal service point where you can buy stamps. For more complex services, you'll have to go to a larger destination in the area, e.g. Amsterdam.
Nearby destinations include: