Sint Maartensvlotbrug: Pontoon Bridge, Mills and Tulips

Sint Maartensvlotbrug can be explored through its technical history and water management, as well as through tulip culture in Land van Fluwel. These subjects have different points of focus: the pontoon bridge connects present-day use with an older construction tradition, while the mill tells the story of draining part of a polder. Also nearby are the observation tower and tulip history at Land van Fluwel, as well as Wildrijk in Sint Maartenszee.

Pontoon Bridge and Construction Tradition

The pontoon bridge at Sint Maartensvlotbrug is one of the Vlotbruggen crossing the Noordhollandsch Kanaal that can now be used by pedestrians, cyclists and cars. Its significance lies not only in its present-day use: it is also a rare surviving example of a construction type dating from 1953.

The construction follows the principle of the earlier Vlotbrug at this location. The design for that earlier bridge was supplied by Jan Blanken Jansz. in 1821/22. The dates therefore mark different historical milestones: the design of the earlier Vlotbrug and the later construction type. If you are interested in local history, the bridge offers a tangible connection to both periods, without needing to reduce it to just one building phase.

Dairy and Mill History

At Sint Maartensweg 5 is the former De Eensgezindheid dairy, a municipal monument. The word “former” refers to the building’s history: it was once a dairy, not a current statement about its operations. Its monument status distinguishes it from the water history that can be seen at De Noorder M mill.

De Noorder M mill drained the approximately 263-hectare N-M section of the Zijpe and Hazepolder into the Schermerboezem. The area given refers to this section. The N-M mill, also called Noorder-M, was built in 1657. Together, the construction date and drainage task offer insight into two aspects of the mill’s history: the building’s place in time and its specific role in water management.

Tulip Fields and Land van Fluwel

At Land van Fluwel, an 11-metre-high observation tower offers views across the surrounding bulb fields. The tulip displays are at their most impressive in spring. The Dutch Tulip Experience tells the story of the tulip through an audio tour. These offer two different ways to explore the subject: from the tower, the focus is on views of the fields; the audio tour focuses on the history of the tulip.

Every spring, Land van Fluwel and Bloeiend Zijpe jointly organise rides on the BloemBollenBoemel through the surrounding flower fields. If this ride is important to your plans, check the specific dates before you travel. The seasonal connection is especially clear here: the tulip displays and rides are tied to spring, while the tower and audio tour each highlight other aspects of Land van Fluwel.

Wildrijk in Sint Maartenszee

Wildrijk is located nearby in Sint Maartenszee. Originally a wooded country estate, it was protected through a purchase in 1940. A special watermill there maintains the water level using a so-called “schoonwatersloot”—a clean-water ditch that brings in water directly from the dunes. Wildrijk thus combines landscape history with a concrete example of water management.

Wildrijk has a walk that takes about an hour, particularly in spring. The duration is an approximate guide; at the same time, the season is explicitly part of the walking experience described. Together with the spring focus of the tulips at Land van Fluwel, this offers a useful distinction when planning: in Sint Maartensvlotbrug, the focus is on views and tulip fields; at Wildrijk, it is on a walk through a landscape with its own history and water management.

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

For the main travel overview: Zijpe.