Beemster Polder

About

Between 1607 and 1612, Beemster Polder was reclaimed from the inland sea using 43 windmills and a series of dykes to reclaim land lying 3.5 meters below sea level. For this feat of human ingenuity, Beemster Polder is was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors can enjoy the distinctively Dutch landscape. Visitors can head to the Schermerhorn Museum Windmill to learn how windmills work and how they were used to develop the area. In the town-proper, visitors will find a slew of charming historic buildings, such as the 400 years old church of Hendrick de Keyzer, and the 18th century vicarage, which is now a museum filled with fully furnished rooms representing 300 years of life in the town.