The reclamation of the Noordoostpolder der started by building a dike around the intended new land. Where the Closing Hole Monument of Nagele now lies, the dike of the Noordoostpolder was closed on 13 December 1940. The last hole in the dike around the Noordoostpolder was closed here, hence the term 'Sluitgat'. A momentous achievement, portrayed by a boulder clay grab, also known as a grab bucket, placed on top of the dike.
There is also a keystone at the monument, On it is a poem ...
The reclamation of the Noordoostpolder der started by building a dike around the intended new land. Where the Closing Hole Monument of Nagele now lies, the dike of the Noordoostpolder was closed on 13 December 1940. The last hole in the dike around the Noordoostpolder was closed here, hence the term 'Sluitgat'. A momentous achievement, portrayed by a boulder clay grab, also known as a grab bucket, placed on top of the dike.
There is also a keystone at the monument, which features a poem by Remco Campert. Finally, the monument consists of a maquette, located at the foot of the dike, showing the contours of the Noordoostpolder (in the making). On this map of the dike surrounding the Noordoostpolder der, you can see not only the closing hole at Nagele, which connected Urk to Vollenhove, but also the closing hole at Espel, which connected Lemmer to Urk, closed a year and two months earlier.
The Sluitgatmonument Nagele is easily accessible on foot from the car park of the Schokkerstrand. You simply walk along the wide path from the Zuidermeerdijk along the Ketelmeer to the monument.
