Heerenhuis
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The Heerenhuis – Dutch for 'town house' – is situated on the left hand corner and exemplifies Beemster's glory. Dutch Princes Maurits and Hendrik dined at this site in 1612 shortly after the land reclamation project had been completed. However, they had to stay in a tent because the Heerenhuis had not yet been built. The Princes were two of the first people to visit this marvel and were highly curious about this unique project. But how did this polder actually come into being?
Affluent merchants from Amsterdam and politicians from The Hague devised the plan to drain Lake Beemster. They had three main reasons for doing so. Firstly, Lake Beemster and other lakes' waters presented a hazard to towns throughout North Holland, including Amsterdam. Secondly, there was an increasing need for farmland to feed growing urban populations. Thirdly, rich merchants were looking for investment opportunities. Draining Lake Beemster would create new land that would generate a favourable return, assuming the ambitious plan succeeded.
Work started in 1608. Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater was in charge of hydraulic works. Initially, a dyke was constructed around the lake so that drained areas wouldn't simply reflood. Next, investors financed the construction of twenty six watermills around the lake to pump out its water. Work progressed more rapidly following a brief setback in 1610 when a severe storm caused the polder to partially flood. Forty windmills were in operation by this time draining an area the size of seventy two thousand football pitches.
Drainage work was complete by 1612. Lake Beemster had been fully drained. The land had been divided into plots using a grid based plot pattern even before reclamation work had begun. You'll hear more about this later in the tour.
Affluent merchants from Amsterdam and politicians from The Hague devised the plan to drain Lake Beemster. They had three main reasons for doing so. Firstly, Lake Beemster and other lakes' waters presented a hazard to towns throughout North Holland, including Amsterdam. Secondly, there was an increasing need for farmland to feed growing urban populations. Thirdly, rich merchants were looking for investment opportunities. Draining Lake Beemster would create new land that would generate a favourable return, assuming the ambitious plan succeeded.
Work started in 1608. Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater was in charge of hydraulic works. Initially, a dyke was constructed around the lake so that drained areas wouldn't simply reflood. Next, investors financed the construction of twenty six watermills around the lake to pump out its water. Work progressed more rapidly following a brief setback in 1610 when a severe storm caused the polder to partially flood. Forty windmills were in operation by this time draining an area the size of seventy two thousand football pitches.
Drainage work was complete by 1612. Lake Beemster had been fully drained. The land had been divided into plots using a grid based plot pattern even before reclamation work had begun. You'll hear more about this later in the tour.
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