Graft – Village History and Polder Landscape

Graft combines a historic village layout with open surroundings rich in water. The village lies between open polder landscape, historic dikes and the water-rich Eilandspolder area. This gives your trip two distinct focal points: the history of the village and the surrounding landscape. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Graft, you can first decide whether you’d like to focus on the village’s historic sites or the landscape on walks, bike rides and boat trips.

Landscape and Nature Around Graft

Eilandspolder is close to Graft. Because of its abundance of birdlife and the protected animal and plant species found there, it is a Natura 2000 site. Together with the open polder landscape and historic dikes, it is one of the defining landscape features around Graft. Nature and cultural heritage thus offer different facets of a trip: Eilandspolder is characterised by its abundance of birdlife and protected species, while the village layout and monumental buildings bring the history of the place to life.

Raadhuis and Zerkenvloer: History in the Village

Graft’s history is reflected in its village layout, monumental buildings and tranquil streetscape. The former Raadhuis Graft was built in 1613 at the behest of Prince Maurits. Next to the Raadhuis is the Zerkenvloer, a Rijksmonument. It consists of 152 gravestones; the oldest dates from 1575 and is attributed to Master Dirk Wilre. For travellers interested in specific historical details, the contrast is clear: the Raadhuis is notable for its year of construction and patron, while the Zerkenvloer stands out for the number of gravestones and the age of the oldest one.

The Zerkenvloer was fully restored in 2006–2007 and opened to visitors as a place for quiet contemplation; there is also an information pillar there. The Raadhuis houses an outpost of the In 't Houten Huis Museum, the museum for Schermereiland. These are two distinct cultural points of interest: the Zerkenvloer, with its history as a burial place, and the Raadhuis, with its museum outpost. Together, they provide tangible ways to connect with the village’s history, without limiting Graft’s historic character to a single building.

Explore Graft on Foot, by Bike and on the Water

Walking in Graft lets you experience the village street, historic buildings and peaceful views of the surrounding polder landscape. Cycling from Graft takes you along routes beside dikes, meadows and villages on the former Schermereiland. Boating near Graft offers another way to experience the landscape around the village, thanks to nearby Eilandspolder.

Each activity offers a different focus: on foot, the village street and peaceful views take centre stage; on a bike, the routes described are defined by dikes, meadows and villages; and on a boat, by the landscape around Eilandspolder. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you’d prefer to get to know Graft through its streetscape and historic buildings or through the wider landscape.

Discover more destinations: West Graftdijk, De Rijp.

For the broader travel overview: Graft-De Rijp.