Culture and museums

Museum Schokland is located on the Middelbuurt, one of the medieval mounds on the former island.

Geological, archaeological and historical objects in the permanent exhibition provide a picture of the development history of the Noordoostpolder area, the origin and decay of the island, the life of the Schokker population and the eventual reclamation of the polder. Scale models, historical films and photos further bring this story to life. The absolute highlight is a number of prehistoric human footprints that are approximately 4000 years old. They were found near Schokland in 1984 and are among the oldest in Western Europe. They are the showpieces of the museum collection.

The outside area covers an area of ​​approximately one hectare. In a number of places the remains of the former habitation are still on the surface. The stone water cellars where drinking water used to be collected are special. The reconstruction of a wooden post screen is also an eye-catcher. Somewhat hidden behind the museum buildings is a wooden ice runners shed that once housed the Schokland ice skate. The wooden seawall can be seen from afar and the characteristic church near the museum is still a beacon in the new land, which was once the busy Zuiderzee.

Majestic experience of steam, architecture and water

The Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal in Lemmer, which was opened by Queen Wilhelmina in 1920, is the world’s largest operational steam-powered pumping station. This monumental pumping station still keeps Frisian feet dry when water levels rise. When necessary, the ‘cathedral of steam’ built in the Rationalism architectural style, pumps no less than four million litres of water per minute from the Frisian lakes and canals out into the IJsselmeer.

The Woudagemaal has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. UNESCO calls the pumping station ‘a highlight of Dutch hydraulic engineering’, because it is a very special example of how man can harness nature using steam power.

A visit to the Woudagemaal starts in the adjacent modern visitor centre. Here, the interactive exhibition tells young and old the story of Frisian water management and the consequences of climate change. At the puzzle table, discover which sustainable and climate-proof choices you can make yourself. And experience the internal workings of the Woudagemaal while wearing VR glasses. Starting at the visitor centre, a guide provides tours of the pumping station with its majestic machine hall and adjoining boiler room.