Museum mill and visitor centre De Breek - Oosthuizen

In the North Holland polder area near Oosthuizen lies Visitor Centre De Breek, a place where you literally dive below ground level. You will learn how this landscape has been shaped over the centuries by people who used clever hydraulic engineering to drain the land and make it habitable. De Breek tells the story of the Zeevangpolder: about the battle against the water, the role of windmills, and the land subsidence that is still ongoing.

The Etersheimer Braakmolen next to the centre is a clear example of this. Inside, you can see how a polder mill works and why it is still needed today. Maps, models and films provide insight into the origins of the peat landscape and the consequences of land reclamation.

You will also learn more about the nature in this area. De Breek is located in the middle of the Zeevangpolder, an important breeding ground for meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit. You will learn how water management, agriculture and biodiversity are closely intertwined here. Topics such as the miller's trade, recognising cloud types and reading the weather are also covered. At 6.6 metres below sea level, you will discover how landscape, climate and culture have influenced each other here for centuries.