Sint Pancras - south

This route explores the green areas around (the southern part of) the former village of Sint Pancras, located between Heerhugowaard and Alkmaar.

From an unpaved walking path along the Gedempte Vaart you have a view of the water and the greenery between Sint Pancras and Alkmaar.

South of the railway is the Nollenstrip, constructed in the 1970s as a green buffer between the Beverkoog industrial estate and Sint Pancras. Two canals, native trees and plants alternate here. Flowers, herbs, insects and birds thrive there.

The Battle of Vronen

Sint Pancras originated on a beach wall or'geest\\\' between the Vronermeer and the Heerhugowaard, which was still a large lake at the time. Inhabitation already took place here in the late Iron Age.

Initially the settlement was called Franloo, later it became Vronen or Vroonen.

At that time there was constant fighting between the West Frisians and the Dutch.

On March 27, 1297, the Battle of Vronen took place between the armies of the County of Holland and the County of Zeeland, led by the young Count John I of Holland, and the rebellious West Frisians.

The West Frisians lost the battle. As punishment for their rebellion, the village was completely destroyed and the inhabitants were exiled to the far western border of West Friesland, the Coedike (Koedijk).

Saint Pancras

A new settlement later arose on the spot where the village of Vronen or Vroonen was located; Sint Pancras, named after the medieval chapel of the same name that stood there.

Small Sint Pancras has become increasingly enclosed by the larger towns of Alkmaar and Heerhugowaard. Yet this ancient village has retained its own identity.