History

Schokland is a special place: as a symbol of the struggle against the sea, it stands for the history and culture of the Netherlands.For centuries, Schokland was a densily populated island in the Zuiderzee. But the sealevel kept rising and Schokland became smaller and smaller. By the early 19th century the situation had become intolerable, but the Schoklanders refused to give in. In 1859 after repeated flood disasters, the last villages were finally evacuated by royal decree. The island was abandonded to the elements and the Schokland culture came to an end.
In 1942 a large part of the former Zuiderzee was reclaimed, wich meant that Schokland ceased being an island and could be reached from all sides via the former sea floor.

Natuurlijk Schokland

In 1948 the Schokland Museum was opened in a restaured church in Middelbuurt, one of the old mound dwellings and an important part of the guided tour across Schokland organised by
"Natuurlijk Schokland". The exhibitions in this museum bring the curious history of the Noordoostpolder and of Schokland to life.
The main purpose of "Natuurlijk Schokland" is to restore the original landscape and to organise short or longer guided tours across Schokland. Special trained guids can tell you everything about traces of prehistoric and medieval habitation that existed there. Other subjects of a tour are: the history of the Zuiderzee sea trade and naturally the story of the land reclamation, the last step in the battle against the sea. Guided tours can start from different places on the island Schokland: the Noordpunt, the oude haven, or near the Kerkruïne, the Zuidpunt, the museum, on the Middelbuurt (a map is shown on the page Rondleidingen).

UNESCO World Heritgae
Schokland is so special that it is the only monument in the Netherlands to be included on the Unesco World Heritage List, joining such structures as the Reims Cathedral, the Tower of Pisa and the pyramids of Giza. According to Unesco, the "island" in the Polder is a place "of exceptional universal value". There's no better recommendation than that.
Schokland is a must for all who want to learn about the Netherlands. "Natuurlijk Schokland" will show you the history, the nature and the culture of Schokland, including the fantastic Dutch landscape and the wonderfull views of the different parts of the "island".