“A former peat-island that was evacuated in 1859 due to rising sea levels; now a 'high' point in the drained polder landscape of the Noordoostpolder; the UNESCO-listed site features the isolated Middelbuurt church standing on a mound of hand-laid sod; walk the old shoreline at dusk; the ground is laterite-dry where it was once seabed; and the silence of the surrounding flatland is absolute.”
About Schokland and Surroundings
A former peat-island that was evacuated in 1859 due to rising sea levels; now a 'high' point in the drained polder landscape of the Noordoostpolder; the UNESCO-listed site features the isolated Middelbuurt church standing on a mound of hand-laid sod; walk the old shoreline at dusk; the ground is laterite-dry where it was once seabed; and the silence of the surrounding flatland is absolute.
Why Visit
Schokland and Surroundings is one of Netherlands's defining sites — a place that rewards every visitor differently.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Book tickets for Schokland and Surroundings in advance to skip long queues.
- 2
Hire a local guide to unlock the stories behind every corner.
- 3
Spend extra time in the least-visited sections — they're often the most rewarding.
