Scharendijke
If you're a water sports enthusiast, Scharendijke is an ideal base for your stay on Schouwen-Duiveland. Originally, Scharendijke was a small hamlet centred around the agricultural harbour of Kloosternol. After the North Sea Flood of 1953, many of the facilities from Elkerzee were relocated to Scharendijke, allowing it to grow into a fully developed village. With the construction of the Brouwersdam, it also became an important centre for water sports.
Agricultural harbour
Around 1910, Scharendijke consisted of a hamlet mainly inhabited by farm labourers and dike workers. At that time, the small agricultural harbour of Kloosternol was built for the transport of agricultural products, mainly madder. This plant was widely cultivated on Schouwen-Duiveland as a raw material for the red dyes alizarin and purpurin. These were used to dye many types of clothing and textiles, but painters also used the red pigment. Learn more about this important export product at Museum Farm Goemanszorg.
Everything about Museumboerderij Goemanszorg
The Growth of Scharendijke
The village of Scharendijke only truly began to flourish after the North Sea Flood of 1953. Before that, it was a hamlet, while the nearby village of Elkerzee was much larger and more important. The North Sea Flood severely affected Elkerzee, and the remaining facilities were moved to Scharendijke. After 1953, a new church was built in Scharendijke, incorporating the bell tower from Elkerzee. This Bethlehem Church is named after an old monastery that once stood here in the Middle Ages, but of which nothing can be seen today.
Also see - in Scharendijke
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Muralt Walls
Muralt Walls
Near Scharendijke, you can still find remnants of the Muralt walls. This was a low-cost solution against the many floods, devised by engineer Mr Muralt. At the end of the nineteenth century, he had 120 kilometres of reinforcement placed on top of the dikes in the form of walls. Unfortunately, they were unable to stop the floods of 1953. After 1953, most of the Muralt walls were therefore demolished. The wall near Scharendijke has remained and has the status of a national monument.
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Straô Rieën
Straô Rieën
Be sure to visit Scharendijke during one of the most unique folkloric celebrations on Schouwen-Duiveland: Straô Rieën. During this unique Schouwen event, decorated horses ride in procession to the beach, where they first gallop and trot before entering the sea. Since 2018, this event has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Water Sports Centre
Water Sports Centre
Are you a water sports enthusiast? Then Scharendijke has plenty to offer. Thanks to its location by the North Sea and Lake Grevelingen, it is an ideal place for sailors, surfers and divers. Divers will find beautiful diving spots in Lake Grevelingen, such as Het Koepeltje, Scharendijke Haven and Nieuwe Kerkweg. Due to the presence of many water sports enthusiasts, Scharendijke also has plenty of facilities.
