Before Schokland became part of the mainland and was still an island in the Zuiderzee, it had been inhabited for thousands of years. Initially by hunter-gatherers, in the Middle Ages it was mainly farmers who kept cattle and grew grain. Only on the self-made mounds were the inhabitants of Schokland safe from the Zuiderzee, which over the years swallowed up more and more of the island.
In 1859, the Zuiderzee won over the 635 Schokkers still living on the island. The government forced them to leave their hearth and home to build a new life on the mainland. Since its reclamation, Schokland has been part of the Noordoostpolder and since 1995 it has carried Unesco World Heritage status. Schokland has nine national monuments, including five archaeological sites and one mixed archaeological and built monument.
Museum Schokland is located at Middelbuurt, on one of the last three residential mounds on the former island, in a collection of buildings characteristic of the former Zuiderzee area. The museum's collection depicts the geology and archaeology of the Noordoostpolder, the creation and decay of the island, the life of the Schokker population and the reclamation of the Noordoostpolder.
Very few buildings have been preserved on Schokland. Only the church of Middelbuurt and the lighthouse were allowed to remain after the evacuation of Schokland in 1859. A foghorn house was added in 1921. The foghorn house used to be the location of the foghorn installation; now the building serves as a shelter and information room.
Naturally, an island needs a port. Schokland's harbour, now called the Harbour of Oud-Emmeloord, was built in 1839. In bad weather, boaters sought shelter here from the strong westerly winds and fish were traded. Between 1915 and 1932, there was even a fish auction here at the harbour. Not much is left of it, but with a little imagination you can still recognise the harbour.
On the northern tip of Schokland, near the old harbour, stands the national monument the Lightkeeper's House. This is one of only three buildings that still date from the time when Schokland was an island. The lighthouse is not only beautiful to look at from the outside, but is also available as a meeting room.
The Enserkerk is the former Reformed Church of the village of Middelbuurt on Schokland. The present brick-built building was built in 1834 to replace the wooden church built in 1717, which was severely damaged during the storm flood of 1825. Today, the church is part of Museum Schokland and is also used as a wedding location by the Municipality of Noordoostpolder.
The soil of the Schokker forest consists of clay, boulder clay and peat. This varied soil offered little prospects for arable farming, which is why it was allowed to become a nature reserve after reclamation. The forest is isolated from other forest areas, yet typical forest plants, such as wild honeysuckle, are already present. The forest is home to birds of prey such as the goshawk, buzzard, sparrow hawk and long-eared owl, as well as many songbirds and roe deer.
There is a lot to see and do on and around Schokland. Especially if you do one of the walking or cycling routes in the area. Restaurant Schokland is therefore an ideal rest and recharge point during a visit to Unesco World Heritage Site Schokland and its surroundings. They serve good coffee, delicious homemade pastries and a rich lunch, both indoors and, in good weather, on the terrace.
There are three TOPs (Toeristische OverstapPunten) in the Noordoostpolder and one of them is on Schokland. A TOP is the perfect starting location for a cycling or walking tour in the area: plenty of parking space and a column displaying various cycling and walking routes in the area. So come to Schokland and discover this former island and its reclaimed surroundings by bike or on foot.
In the car park of Museum Schokland is a shared bike hub. You can reserve the e-bikes in this hub, unlock them and pay for the time used afterwards via the app of Deelfiets Nederland. This allows you to take a nice bike ride through the area, even if you don't have your own bike (with you).
