Oosthuizen

You are now in Oosthuizen. Over the years this village took over Etersheim’s title as the largest village in the Zeevangpolder. Although the residential core was further inland, that didn’t necessarily mean it was a safer place to live. Here too, just as in Etersheim, the inhabitants were conscious of a constant threat from the water. Because if the Defence Line of Amsterdam was ever used, the lower part of Oosthuizen would be inundated. That’s because the village is still just in the Zeevang. The Beemster Ringvaart or ring canal to your right is the boundary of this polder. It’s hardly surprising then that the largest part of the village was in fact only built after the Second World War – only when it was clear that the Defence Line of Amsterdam would no longer be used.

The Zeevang has in fact only been inundated twice – once by the Dutch in 1940 as a defence against the German army which had invaded, and the second time by the German occupiers in 1944 to keep the Allies at bay. During this last inundation the Zeevangpolder was flooded for a full fifteen months.

On your left you will see the ‘Grote Kerk’ or big church of Oosthuizen. The sarcophagus of Etersheim can be seen inside it, along with the tomb of the former lord or squire of Oosthuizen, Francois van Bredehoff. Take a break to view the interior of the church. It’s open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from two to five. Oosthuizen is also a good place to stop for something to eat and drink. You are in fact now at the halfway mark on your tour.