More than 15,000 small, fertile man-made islands characterise the landscape around Museum BroekerVeiling, known as the “Rijk der Duizend Eilanden”. In Broek op Langedijk, the themes range from this watery landscape to the history of the vegetable auction, old mills and routes. This makes it possible to plan your stay around a particular interest.
Islands and Waterways
In the Rijk der Duizend Eilanden, visitors can rent an electric boat, canoe or SUP for their own trip. The options differ in how you get around: the electric boat is powered by electricity, while you paddle a canoe or SUP yourself. Check the latest booking details before your trip, as they may change.
Fishing is also one way to enjoy the waterways: pike are fished for around the Noorderplas. If you want to fish yourself, check the local rules separately.
Auction, Village and Mill Heritage
Museum BroekerVeiling is the world’s oldest drive-through vegetable auction. The monumental wooden auction building of BroekerVeiling dates from 1912. Many historic market gardeners’ houses and cabbage sheds still stand in the old village of Broek op Langedijk. These different traces offer more than one perspective on the area’s history: the auction building and village houses sit alongside the history of water management.
The Oosterdel area lies on the eastern side of Broek op Langedijk. The Schutsluis, with its lock keeper’s house, is a double lock between the Oosterdel area and the ring canal of Heerhugowaard. It was built and opened between 15 April 1940 and 25 June 1941, replacing a smaller lock dating from 1769.
Molen D of the Geestmerambacht polder is a national monument: an octagonal polder mill built in 1868, with an internal wind-direction mechanism. Molen D currently drains section D of the Geestmerambacht polder on a voluntary basis. Vaders Museale Schuitenhelling focuses on the heritage of working and industrial boatbuilding.
Routes and Event Dates
The Oosterdel route starts at Museum BroekerVeiling, passes through the old village of Broek op Langedijk and follows the last undeveloped part of the so-called Rijk der Duizend Eilanden. It follows the Eerstelingenpad; “Eerstelingen” is a potato variety grown in Langedijk. A cycling route through the area around Broek op Langedijk draws attention to the monumental wooden auction building of BroekerVeiling, dating from 1912. The routes thus have different emphases: one passes through the old village and along the undeveloped part of the landscape, while the other draws attention to the auction building. Check the latest route information beforehand; availability and signposting may change.
During Lichtjesavond, the village is decorated with thousands of tea lights and other lights, while decorated and illuminated boats pass by. As dates vary from year to year, check the dates for the relevant year before your trip. This lets you plan your stay around the event.
Discover more destinations: Zuid-Scharwoude, Oudkarspel, Noord-Scharwoude, Sint Pancras.
For the broader travel overview: Langedijk.
