Noordbeemster, Alkmaar and West-Graftdijk

The route runs around a beautiful area consisting of the Beemster, Graft-De Rijp and the Schermer. The former Schermereiland was already diked in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and, with its countless ditches, historic villages and special nature, forms a beautiful contrast with the geometry of the Schermer and Beemster reclaimed lands. Explore the cozy courtyards of Alkmaar, cycle along the old canals and discover the narrow streets. Don't miss a visit to the traditional cheese market, which made the "Cheese City" famous, and soak up the atmosphere of the historic center, which has hundreds of beautiful municipal and national monuments. The city center and the Westerhoutkwartier are a protected cityscape for good reason! Alkmaar has an eventful history full of memorable moments. Obtaining city rights in 1254, the Blood Miracle in 1429, in which blood stains miraculously appeared in a piece of textile, and the fact that the Alkmaarders managed to keep the Spanish at bay with boiling tar and burning bundles of branches during the Eighty Years' War are highlights. Low points include the great city fire of 1328, the Revolt of the Cheese and Bread People in 1517 and the killing of the martyrs of Alkmaar in 1572 because of their Catholic faith. The Fort at Spijkerboor, like the previous and following fort, belongs to the defense line known as 'the Amsterdam position'. The fort was mobilized during the First World War, but has also had other destinations. The fortress served as a prison for conscientious objectors and a number of prominent NSB members, but it also housed a number of political offenders. The fort is located in a nature reserve and is surrounded by a poplar forest and a deciduous forest, where various bird species breed.