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Thursday, September 13, 2007

TT #56: visit Velsen / IJmuiden!

TT56

Thirteen things to do or see in Velsen / IJmuiden

I live in IJmuiden, one of the 7 residential areas of the municipality of Velsen. In this TT I'll share some places of interest and things to do in Velsen. Where possible the links go to English-language sites. If it's just Dutch, click some links to see the pictures. :-)

IJmuiden sign
  • beaches - We have IJmuiden aan Zee with Seaport Marina (click here to download the PDF-file "Discover IJmuiden aan Zee"), IJmuiderslag (my favourite place to walk with the dogs!) with 'inside sea-lake', and the Noorderstrand (the wind and water sports beach in Velsen Noord).
  • dunes - National Park The Kennemerduinen and the Heerenduinen with their varied plant and animal life are among the most beautiful wildlife areas in the Netherlands. It is a varied wildlife area with dusty dunes, inland dunes, dune lakes, ancient dune oak woods and landscaped park woodlands. Here you will find the best developed and most extensive dune forests in the country. The entire area is riddled with hiking and cycling tracks that connect to a multitude of tourist attractions in the region.
  • Fort Island - Fort Eiland is situated at the entrance of the port of IJmuiden. On this island a fort was built in 1888 for the defence of the North Sea canal. The fort is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
  • bunkers - The Heerenduinen are host to a battery of bunkers and a Bunker Museum. There are guided bunker tours by Stichting WN2000.
  • port of IJmuiden & docklands - IJmuiden is the maritime gateway to Amsterdam and is the Dutch port for fish (IJmuiden is one of the leading fishing cities of north-west Europe) and steel (Corus). The seaport and locks are definitely worth visiting.
  • Spaarnwoude - North of the hamlet Spaarnwoude lies the Spaarnwoude recreation area, which is located in between the municipalities of Velsen and Haarlemmerliede en Spaarnwoude. It has beautiful nature and a lot of activities.
  • Pieter Vermeulen Museum - The Pieter Vermeulen Museum is the natural history and environmental education centre in IJmuiden aan Zee. The museum introduces you to the variety of natural habitats to be found in Kennemerland, beautifully displayed in the natural history museum and the Moerberg Gardens behind. The centre also supports Velsen’s schools and other educational institutions in their natural history and environmental education programmes.
  • De Visserijschool - This Maritime and Harbour Museum is devoted to the creation of the North Sea canal, with realistic reproductions of the harbour towing services, salvation and transport activities. It also houses a complete ship’s bridge and exhibits different types of radar equipment.
  • Brederode ruins - The Ruins of Brederode are what remains of the mediaeval castle of the lords of Brederode. The castle was built on the remnants of an older fortress in around 1355. From a military and trading point of view, the castle was in a very strategic location; the swampy peat bogs that surrounded the castle considerably reduced the risk of surprise attacks. In 1573, Spanish soldiers nevertheless succeeded in plundering and setting fire to the castle, and it has been a ruin ever since.
  • De Zandhaas - This flourmill was built in 1779 and in use until 1957. In June 1991, it was agreed with the municipality that the Zandhaas Flourmill Foundation was to become the tenant of the mill with the objective of maintaining the mill and restoring its milling capability. Thanks to two major restorations in 1991 and 1998, De Zandhaas can now use wind power to mill again, turning it into an working monument. These days, the mill is kept going by a professional miller, and part of the old mill shed has been converted into a visitor’s centre. A shop on the mill’s ground floor offers a wide range of grain, flour and baking products.
  • Gemaal Velserbroek - This little pumping station is very old and has obtained monument status. In 1914 the old steam engine was replaced by the nowadays unique Brons diesel engine. The station has the capacity to keep the surrounding polder area (460 hectares!) dry, even with heavy storms.
  • Duin- & Kruidberg and Beeckestijn - Remaining two of the beautiful "buitenplaatsen" this region once had. Rich families from Amsterdam, Utrecht etc. had summer residences in the countryside and near the coast. Beeckestijn Museum is closed since 2006, but the famous 18th century gardens are freely accessible. Duin- & Kruidberg is open for public since 2002.
  • Oud-Velsen - Built around the 12th century Engelmundus church and with monumental houses and streets this preserved core of the old village of Velsen has a lot of charm. The old Town Hall plays host to exhibitions by various artists.

There's more to see and do,
so if you ever come to The Netherlands, don't forget my hometown!
See a lot of pictures on the website of Coos Ernens.
Live webcam from the townhall looking towards the harbour.


sources: Toerisme Velsen and Wikipedia on 'Velsen'

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Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
~*~ Sue ~*~ busy91 ~*~ Friday's Child ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ Christine d'Abo ~*~ WorksForMom ~*~ Mark Caldwell ~*~ Joely Sue ~*~ Amy Ruttan ~*~ PJ ~*~ pussreboots ~*~ No Nonsense girl ~*~ armywife ~*~ Helena ~*~ Lori ~*~ Dorothy ~*~ Thomma Lyn ~*~ A Cowboy's Wife ~*~ julia ~*~ Lara Angelina ~*~ Yuriko ~*~ Wylie Kinson ~*~ Jessie ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Ann ~*~ Retta ~*~ MomNotMum ~*~ Damozel ~*~ mar ~*~ Grace ~*~ Xakara ~*~ Darla ~*~ Robin ~*~ WAHM ~*~ Hootin' Anni ~*~ Judy Callarman ~*~ Sparky Duck ~*~ Ann Aguirre ~*~ L^2 ~*~ Nicole ~*~ Cassandra ~*~ Joshua ~*~ Mama Pajama ~*~ the diva ~*~ Alasandra ~*~ TopChamp ~*~ Capt. Lifecruiser ~*~ Natalie ~*~ The Bluest Butterfly ~*~ RennyBA ~*~

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

52 comments:

  1. Anonymous13/9/07 00:02

    I love your TT lists, they are always so educational! I learn something new each time I visit ... :) Happy TT!

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  2. Netherlands are such a pretty place. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I'm first! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to visit all of them?
    My T13 is up too.

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  4. I agree with Sue. Your TT's are always so educational. I would love to travel!

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  5. Anonymous13/9/07 00:50

    Thank you for this educational TT. I've been to the Netherlands once -- time to go again!

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  6. I have to agree with Sue. I always learn so much from your TT lists, Tink. This one is just as awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Anonymous13/9/07 01:07

    I so want to visit the Netherlands some day. It looks and sounds so beautiful!! Great list, it was a good read!

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  8. Great list.

    The working mill sounds fun. I saw the sails on the wind mill in Nottingham going when I was down there earlier this year and I don't remember ever seeing them move before in thirty odd years

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  9. Oooh, I love those ruins! Very cool. Happy TT!

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  10. That's a place I've always wanted to go.

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  11. You should work for the tourist board! Are you anywhere near Valkenburg? I stayed there on a school trip years ago.

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  12. Mine this week has 13 art projects by my son. Happy TT.

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  13. Very interesting!!! Happy TT!!!

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  14. i never really thought about going to the Netherlands until reading your list...may have to add it to my todo list.
    thanks for sharing!

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  15. Great List! I am going to come back and check out the web cam. Some very interesting sites to see! Thanks for sharing!!!!ps The word verifaction looks like it could belong on the list...LOL.

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  16. Sounds like a great place to visit:) Happy TT.

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  17. I all sounds so nice. I need a vacation.

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  18. Anonymous13/9/07 04:18

    What a wonderful list! I would love to visit the Netherlands. I love to read TTs where I learn new things!

    Happy TT, and thanks for visiting mine! :)

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  19. oh, I would love to just get out of TEXAS for a little bit;)

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  20. The castle ruins and the summer estates are my favorites. Wonderful TT, Tink!

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  21. I would so definitely love to see your country -- you make it incredibly interesting and exciting! Thanks for all the great sites to see!
    Happy TT!

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  22. Great list! Thanks for sharing about Velsen.

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  23. I've been to Amsterdam and a few smaller towns surrounding, -- it was a REALLY long time ago and my memory just won't spit out the names at the moment...
    I hope to visit the Netherlands again soon!

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  24. Now I want to come visit! Happy TT!

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  25. It's nice that you explained your country ! I didn't know this area at all. I don't even know exactly where it is. From Holland I know Amsterdam of course because my son lives there since 5 years, then also the Verse meer. In Sluis and Maastricht I have been maybe 35 years ago, lol !
    My "DIL" is from Utrecht.

    I think you are a miracle ! Now it's 6.15 am on Thursday Thirteen and you got already 25 comments ! When did you get up ??? lol !

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  26. Wonderful list. I loved the ruins. Happy TT!

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  27. It all sounds so pretty, I wish I could travel and see it all. Maybe after I take over the internet later this year... *insert evil laughter as I walk away*

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  28. Very cool - I've been to Amsterdam but would have loved to travel more through the country.

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  29. Anonymous13/9/07 09:21

    Love LOVE the photograph of the pumping station. I would love to visit the Netherlands....Great list as usual, with EXCELLENT PHOTOS. A mini-travelogue!

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  30. Haven't been in NL in a long time. Thanks for the links, it is like a small tour and very, very interesting! I particularly love those dunes, since there are none (or not mentionable!) where we live (Med coast)
    happy thirteening!

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  31. Anonymous13/9/07 09:33

    Great virtual travelling experience. Thanks for the info.

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  32. Anonymous13/9/07 10:32

    I've never been to the Netherlands, nor thought I'd go (not big on travel). But you make it sound worth a trip.

    Thanks for sharing. :)

    ~X

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  33. Oh, we've GOT to make time to go back to the Netherlands. We used to go quite frequently, but only to the Veluwemeer (sp?) to windsurf and then into Amsterdam in the evenings.

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  34. It looks like a great place to live. I'll have to come for a visit someday.

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  35. I love this list. My family is from the Netherlands and I have always wanted to go there.

    my 13 is up

    http://momworksathome.blogspot.com

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  36. Wow...this Thursday 13 is so informative and well composed. I love it. It was a great learning experience.

    Thanks for visiting my T T

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  37. This is a very interesting list. I didn't know there was so much to see there.

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  38. great list, though I still dont get how you even say some of those words ;)

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  39. Sounds like you live in a lovely area. I hope to see it someday.

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  40. Wow, what a wonderful list! It looks like a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. Wow, that's a fun list of neat places! I'd love to go see the Brederode ruins - history of that sort fascinates me.

    Happy TT! Mine's up, too.

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  42. OMG! How cool! Say, maybe you can help me. A friend told me if I baked 3 Dutch apple pies, the scent would magically draw three really hot naked Dutch guys to my back door.

    I baked the pies. So where are the guys? LOL.

    ::sigh:: Probably just another urban myth, huh?

    ((hugs))
    p.s. When can I come visit you? It looks like a cool place to live.

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  43. Anonymous13/9/07 20:04

    Wow, sounds like a really beautiful place. I hope I'd get to visit your country and town most especially someday. Happy TT!

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  44. Anonymous13/9/07 21:45

    Very educational list! Have a great week!

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  45. so many beautiful places i'd love to see!

    happy tt,
    mine is up.

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  46. Your list was very interesting, I would love to visit one day.

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  47. hello - happy TT!

    I don't know much about bunkers but should I need it I now know where to find out.

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  48. Anonymous13/9/07 23:20

    Wow! I'm impressed! You're really pushing for visiting IJmuiden! I wanna visit all the places! Luckily I can understand a little since some word is quite similar to Swedish words - and German words.

    Ah, when thinking of that I've been to Haarlem, sooo close to this wonderful beaches without knowing about them - I wanna smack myself in the forehead ;-)

    I loved Amsterdam and Haarlem. It's a pity that time doesn't let me be every where at the same time as I wanna see EVERYTHING... *giggles*

    Fantastic list! I think I must save a link to it!

    I've been thinking of doing a similar list for Stockholm or Sweden and now you got me digging forward that thought. We'll see if I get to do it soon!

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  49. I really want to visit the Netherlands someday.

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  50. Anonymous15/9/07 00:59

    Tink - I wanna visit this wonderful place of yours one day! I'm often in Brussels in Belgium, and it's not that far away, so hopefully one day I hope you'll guide me around!
    Wishing you a wonderful end to your week:-)

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  51. Brian Hutchings1/1/11 19:40

    Came across your very interesting site whilst looking for places of interest near Ijmuiden.
    My wife, me and our 1928 car will be visiting from England for a few days to take part in an oldtimer day on 6 August at the castle near Santpoort Zuid.

    Best wishes Brian

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I'm really sorry I had to enable comment & word moderation. Loads of spam comments spoiled the free commenting, but please... don't let it stop you. I love every non-spam comment!
Thanks for visiting.
Love, Tink