Wissenkerke, Neeltje Jans and Veere

Three dams and a gigantic bridge connect the former island of Noord-Beveland to the mainland. Cycle around the island and meet the inhabitants, who have been battling the water for centuries. Traditionally, the fishermen and sailors of Noord-Beveland worshiped Nehalennia, the Goddess of the fishermen. After a large storm surge, the first dikes were built in 1014. Terps were also raised. After another storm surge in 1134, the whole of Noord-Beveland was diked in, but to no avail: in 1134 storm winds pushed the water up so high that the whole island was flooded. In 1598 the villages of Colijnsplaat and Kats were built and in the following century Wissenkerke was also created. After that, the reclamation went quickly: in 1684 the whole of Noord-Beveland had been reclaimed. During the flood disaster (1953), what is known as'the miracle of Colijnsplaat\\\' took place: a dike breach was narrowly avoided here. The flood disaster prompted the construction of the Delt Works, which were to prevent such flooding in the future.