Hotel Marktzicht

Harderwijk and the Veluwemeer (= lake)

by Pavlik_NL

Harderwijk used to be a coastal town. A fishermen's harbour that had the sea just outside it's citywalls. Now-a-days the sea has been turned into a big shallow lake and reaching the (North)sea will take a drive over at least a hundred kilometres. Still, Harderwijk is closely connected with the water Harderwijk used to be the closest town with some nightlife and it's boulevard during my armydays that I spend in the neighborhood (Ermelo and Nunspeet). It was a "getting out" opportunity that I took as many times as it was possible.

Living on and with the water

by Pavlik_NL

Like in Amsterdam, people here to used to live a lot with the water. First way I want to show is the houseboats. Though now-a-days Harderwijk has only a few places where houseboats are allowed (like here in the inner harbour), their were more places centuries ago.

All watersports come at the first place

by Pavlik_NL

With the Veluwe-lake out front, Harderwijk can be called a capitol in it's region for watersports. The Veluwe-lake (or "meer" as we say) is very shallow and therefor an ideal place to learn surfing. Falling of the board results in an easy climbing back up again and one can keep on trying until the moment that one slides over the water as if it is done from birth.
All watersportstips that you find on my "The Netherlands"-page, apply for sure for Harderwijk. Can be brought, but also rented on the boulevard.

The harbour and the windmill

by Pavlik_NL

Close to the town and around the corner of the boulevard (you probably saw it passing by when arriving by car and parking near the Dolfinarium) is the harbour of Harderwijk. Near the harbour the windmill rises up high and a wonderful little lifting bridge offers the possibility to go to it.
This part of Harderwijk is realy traditionaly fishermen's town, though it has a very specific own character. Where ones the fishermen's boats anchored and unloaded their fresh loads, now motor and sailboats lay bringing tourists ashore.

Harderwijk

by robertgaz

"Europe's biggest seaworld"

Harderwijk is situated at the southern end of the IJselmeer and was once a thriving fishing village. The IJselmeer was cut off from the North Sea when the Afsluitdijk was constructed creating an inland lake.

The biggest attraction now is the Dolfinarium, which is also Europe's biggest seaworld. The main stars here are the dolphins, seals and walrusses.