The Wieden from Giethoorn

The Weerribben-Wieden National Park is the largest peat bog in Western Europe. This water-rich natural landscape with lakes, ditches, reed fields and swamp forests was created by peat extraction: peat was dredged here from the 15th century. Water is the most determining factor for plants and animals. In the versatile landscape you can see all shades of development from open water to swamp forest. Many aquatic plants and countless animals live in the calm water and along the banks of the ditches and drainage holes. The otter and the pine marten also occur in the swamp forests and cage forests. The quaking bogs are very special: floating carpets that are just - or just not - passable. Orchids and the very rare red scorpion moss grow there. The flowery meadows and moist grasslands attract a unique flora and fauna and the reedlands are of great importance for birds such as the bluethroat and the bittern.

The Gildenhuijs Museum is located in Blokzijl. Objects, maps and old prints and photos provide a picture of the history of Blokzijl in relation to the water. You will find a permanent exhibition, a project especially for children and changing exhibitions.

De Wieden visitor center is indispensable for a day in the De Wieden water-rich nature reserve. You will learn more about the area and can stop by the tea room. There are all kinds of fun activities for children.
Mill De Foeke is a tjasker, built in 1968 for the opening of the De Wieden Visitor Center. It grinds in a circuit, where it does not grind dry but keeps water moving. The wooden rods are 5.40 meters long and the tjasker is a municipal monument.