Visit Urk
Urk actually used to be an island. For hundreds of years the people here lived alone in the middle of the stormy sea. They have their own language and a very strong sense of pride. When the polder was built the island became part of the land. But the spirit of the village never changed. It still feels like a world apart from the rest of The Netherlands.
Walk through the Ginkies which are the tiny narrow alleys between the houses. They are so tight that you can touch the walls on both sides. Every house is painted with care and has a small ship in the window. The village is built on a small hill of clay that kept it safe from the waves. You can find the Lighthouse at the highest point looking out over the water.
Visit the Fisherman's Monument near the harbor. It holds the names of all the men who were lost at sea over the years. The harbor is still full of green and black fishing boats today. You can eat the best fried fish in the country right on the docks. It is a place of deep faith and hard work that stays with you long after you leave.
Top sights to visit
- Urk Lighthouse White stone and a bright lantern mark the highest point of this former island. It has guided fishing boats home for over one hundred years and offers a great view of the wide, blue water.
- The Ginkies Narrow alleys wind between the old houses and were built to protect the people from the cold sea winds. These tiny streets are full of historic charm and hidden details that tell the story of island life.
- The Harbor Active fishing boats bring in the daily catch to one of the most famous ports in the Netherlands. You can feel the salt in the air and watch the hard work of the local crews as they unload the green vessels.
- Fisherman's Monument Moving tributes to the men lost at sea are found at this bronze statue of a woman looking over the waves. It holds the names of many local families and is a sacred site for the whole village.
- Museum Het Oude Raadhuis Traditional costumes and old tools are on display inside the historic town hall building. It explains the unique culture of the people who lived here before the sea was turned into land.
- The Kerkje aan de Zee Centuries of faith live in this tiny church which sits right on the edge of the lake. It has survived many massive floods and remains a very calm and spiritual place for every visitor.
- Urker Beach Sandy shores and fresh water make this small beach a perfect spot for a quick dip on a hot day. It is located right next to the lighthouse and offers some of the best sunset views in the province.
- The IJsselmeer View Massive space and fresh wind greet you at the top of the high dike overlooking the water. You can see the distant shore on a clear day and feel the power of the lake that used to be an ocean.
- Fish Auction Fast trade and loud voices fill this modern building where the daily catch is sold to buyers from across Europe. It shows the high tech side of the old village and the importance of the local fishing industry.
- Local Fish Stalls Freshly fried kibbeling and smoked eel are the local pride and can be bought right on the docks. It is a must try meal for anyone on a Dutch road trip who wants a real taste of the north.
- The Orca Tourist boats leave from the harbor to give you a view of the village from the water. It is a relaxing way to spend an hour and learn about the history of the island from a local captain.
- The Old Cemetery Sea families are buried on this quiet hill where the stones often feature carvings of anchors and ships. It is a peaceful place to walk and learn about the long history of the local names.
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History of Urk
Urk is a village that refused to change even when the world around it did. For a thousand years it was a tiny island of clay in a stormy sea where the people lived entirely on what they could catch in their nets. They developed their own language and their own way of life because they were cut off from the rest of the country. To live on Urk was to live at the mercy of the wind and the waves.
In 1942 the island was suddenly connected to the land as the Noordoostpolder was drained. The people woke up one morning and found that the sea they loved had been moved miles away. But instead of becoming like the rest of the polder the villagers kept their island spirit. They still have the largest fishing fleet in the country and their houses are still huddled together on the high ground of the old island hill.
Walking through the narrow alleys called ginkies feels like exploring a secret world that still smells of salt and fresh fish. The Urk lighthouse stands as a silent witness to the many men lost at sea over the generations. It is a place of deep faith and hard work where the old traditions are still the law of the land. For the road trip visitor it is the most unique stop in the country because it is an island that is no longer in the water.