Hoorn, Scharwoude, Avenhorn

The Hoornse Hop is a sheltered bay on the western side of the Markermeer, between Hoorn and Schardam. Where once the Zuiderzee had free rein, there is now a quiet and open stretch of water that is mainly known to birdwatchers, water sports enthusiasts and dyke cyclists. The narrow strip of land along the Hop has served for centuries as protection against the water, but also as a gateway to the world. The dykes, which now seem so self-evident, are the result of centuries of work against the power of the sea.

On the water side are villages such as Schellinkhout, Scharwoude and Warder – small-scale, but with character. They have been shaped by the rhythm of the land, the proximity of the water and the trade that reached far beyond the borders via Hoorn. In Hoorn itself, warehouses, harbours and gable stones still remind us of the VOC past. But everyday life, the market and the maintenance of the dykes also set the tone here.

Further inland lie villages such as Zwaag, Beets and Avenhorn. This area has traditionally been used as peat meadowland, with a pattern of long ditches and straight plots. The villages developed as ribbon settlements along dykes and roads and are closely linked to the agricultural development of the region. Over time, the land was excavated, drained and made suitable for livestock farming and later also for arable farming. Many of the original farmhouses are still standing, often in use as homes or agricultural businesses. Although the towns in the surrounding area have grown, this hinterland has largely retained its rural character.