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The Waterland region is a flat region with a beautiful openness, which is ideal for a bike ride. The low-lying peat meadow area, intersected with many ditches and canals, is protected against the encroaching water by the Waterlandse Zeedijk. Low quays were built from the twelfth century and gradually increased in height. Despite the embankment, Waterland remained a wet and marshy area. Arable farming was almost impossible, so there was a lot of trade in the markets with dairy products. Frequently heard dialects in Waterland are Volendams and Markens. The Marken peninsula, which is a protected cityscape, has an erratic history with the surrounding water and the inhabitants have always been fighting to protect home and hearth against the water. Terps were erected and later the houses were even built on stilts. Marken became more and more a tourist attraction, especially because of the characteristic houses and traditional costumes. Also special is the lighthouse of Marken, named Paard van Marken, which was built around 1700 as a square fire beacon. The white concrete tower with annex is still used as a light signal. The tower is sixteen meters high and was designated a national monument in 1970. Monnickendam is also a nice place to cycle through. This city has many monuments, of which the Speeltoren is the best known. This historic town hall tower has the oldest hand-playable carillon in the Netherlands. A museum has been located in the Speeltoren since 1981, where you can learn more about the history of Monnickendam and Waterland. Do you want to know more about the best kept secrets of Laag Holland? Then surf to www.laagholland.com and get inspired.