Burgerbrug between Polder History and Village Culture

Burgerbrug brings together village history and polder landscapes. The village is located in the Zijpepolder, considered the oldest reclaimed polder in Noord-Holland. Its history can be seen in the historic centre as well as in its windmills, churches and local events. If you are looking for a hotel, these highlights can help you decide in advance whether Burgerbrug suits the themes of your trip.

Village centre, churches and history

The old Starre Kroon farmstead is a prominent feature of the historic village centre. The historic centre also includes a small church with small stained-glass windows. The church at Burgerweg 60 in Burgerbrug is a Rijksmonument dating from 1830. Since 1873, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Church in Burgerbrug has had stained-glass windows in the choir. The Herboren Toren is a distinctive village church dating from the mid-19th century. It is used as Burgerbrug’s social and cultural centre. Check the current programme before visiting. The churches bring together different perspectives: historic architectural and decorative details, as well as the social and cultural use of the Herboren Toren.

The Jacob Claessesluis is a monument commemorating the centuries-long conflict between the Zijpepolder and the Hoogheemraadschap van de Uitwaterende Sluizen.

Polder landscape and windmills

Characteristic North Holland stolpboerderijen, known as “the pyramids of the polder,” stand around Burgerbrug. The windmills also anchor the area’s history in specific dates and water-management duties. Molen F had already been built when the polder mill masters were appointed in 1567 during the first embankment of the Zijpe. The year 1567 therefore refers to the appointment, not the construction of the mill. The date for Molen Zuider-G remains uncertain: 1597 or 1598 are possible construction years; the year 1669 shown on the information board cannot be ruled out either. The drainage duties distinguish two mills: Molen L-Q drains sections L and Q of the Zijpe and Hazepolder; Molen Zuider-G drains sections Zuider G and Zuider M. Zijpe Molen F is located at Grote Sloot 33 in Burgerbrug. The two types of information about the mills answer different questions: possible construction years put their history in context, while the named sections explain which part of the polder each mill drains.

Canoeing and walking

The Kanoroute Zijpe is a 23.5-kilometre circular route along the Noordhollands Kanaal and the Groote Sloot. In Croon en Bergh’s Worteltuin, a walking path runs around a dry water-storage basin. Visits to the Worteltuin are by appointment only; arrange your visit with the organisation in advance. The two options differ in form: a circular route on waterways, or a walk around the storage basin, for which you need to arrange an appointment.

Festivals and proximity to the beach

Recurring celebrations include the Jaarmarkt, held every summer. Burgerbrug also hosts a large carnival celebration every year. If you would like to plan your stay around a festival, check the event dates in advance. Petten beach is about three kilometres from Burgerbrug. This is an approximate distance and depends on the route, so take that into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Het Korfwater, Sint Maartensbrug, Oudesluis, Petten, Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Callantsoog, 'T Zand, Sint Maartenszee

For the broader travel overview: Zijpe.