Zwartsluis lies where the Meppelerdiep flows into the Zwarte Water. The town’s history dates back to the late 14th century: “De Swarten Sluys” referred to the dammed entrance from the Meppeler Diep to the Zwarte Water, where a settlement developed. Locks, canals and fishing offer tangible connections to this history. You can learn about Zwartsluis not only through its location, but also through the different purposes and periods of its waterworks.

Locks, Canal and Peat Trade

The Arembergergracht was built around 1560 as a canal for transporting peat from Friesland. Peat was also transferred on the historic peat islands in the past; today, the islands are open to visitors who want to experience the history of Zwartsluis. The canal and transshipment point are reminders of the role peat transport played in the town’s history.

The locks also reveal different historical layers. The Arembergersluis stands at the start of the Arembergergracht; its original form dates from 1826. The Grote Kolksluis was built in 1879 and remains important for recreational boating. Those interested in waterways can compare two different aspects of lock history through these dates and functions, without reducing the structures to a single era.

Fishing Vessel and Maritime Stories

The ZS13, a wooden fishing vessel, is part of the area’s maritime past. Built in 1870 as a Marker Botter, it later returned to Zwartsluis. Volunteers keep the vessel seaworthy. The Botterhuus on the Zwartewater is a distinctive wooden building and a meeting place for volunteers and visitors; stories about Zwartsluis’s maritime past are shared there. A preserved vessel and the oral telling of local history thus offer two different ways to engage with the past.

Churches, Museum and Art

Among the historic buildings is the Doopsgezinde kerk, built in 1842 by the Mennonite community in Zwartsluis. The Hervormde kerk is still used for services. If you plan to visit, check the service schedule in advance. Museum Schoonewelle offers a different perspective on the region, with natural history specimens, animal dioramas and displays about the nature of northwest Overijssel and the surrounding area.

The local art scene also has its own place. Since 2006, painter Frederik Weijs has presented watercolours and oil paintings at Galerie Frederik Weijs. Together, the church, museum and gallery offer different themes for a stay: architectural history, depictions of nature and visual art. You do not need to combine these interests into a single itinerary to experience Zwartsluis from several perspectives.

Cycling and Trips on the Water

From Zwartsluis, visitors can cycle to Weerribben-Wieden National Park, where various cycling routes are signposted. The area is a valuable wetland where water and land alternate, providing a habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The Tourist Info Zwartsluis at Sluuspoort provides cycling routes and other maps. These can help you plan before an outing and add a landscape perspective to your exploration of the town’s history.

For a trip on the water, Pico Bello Varen in Zwartsluis rents an electric Pettersloep for relaxed day trips in Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Check availability before your trip. Another option was the sightseeing boat “Sluuspoort 1” in 2026: from mid-May to the end of August, it took tourists and other visitors past the peat islands in Zwartsluis’s inner harbour every day. If you plan a trip, check the dates that apply to your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Genemuiden, Hasselt.

For the broader travel overview: Zwartewaterland.