From Kwadendamme to Goes

No wild nature in Zuid-Beveland, but neatly landscaped polders with neat arable lands that are used for agriculture and fruit growing. On the peninsula between the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, the battle against the rising water has been won and the fertile land is gratefully cultivated. In the 3rd and 4th century, this part of Zeeland did not yet exist and the area was under water, but from the Middle Ages onwards, the area was gradually reclaimed and the population that lives there can make an excellent living from agriculture and fishing. In 1530 during the St. Felix flood and in 1570 during the All Saints' flood, the water reclaimed a large part of the land, but the most famous flood in Dutch history is undoubtedly the Flood of 1953. The eastern part of Zuid-Beveland was flooded. The peninsula has benefited greatly from the construction of the Delta Works, which better opened up Central Zeeland to the rest of the Netherlands. A nice city to visit is Goes. In the tenth century, Goes originated as a small village on the edge of a creek, but the number of inhabitants grew rapidly. The prosperity of the city was mainly due to the cloth industry and salt mining. Due to the rapid growth, Goes was granted city rights in 1405. In 1417, the city moat was dug and the city walls were built. Goes has not experienced any major disasters. The city came through both World Wars relatively unscathed and was also not affected by the Flood Disaster. There are still many old buildings in Goes, such as the fifteenth-century Gothic-style town hall on the Markt, the Grote or Maria Magdalenakerk from 14233 and many old gates, squares and streets, but also the historic ramparts and fortresses around the city center.