A Voorstraat leading into a spacious Kerkring shapes Sommelsdijk’s historic townscape. The village is part of the nationally designated protected townscape “Middelharnis / Sommelsdijk.” It was established in the Oudeland van Sommelsdijk polder, reclaimed in 1465. If you are planning a stay, you will find more than individual sights here: the relationship between the street and the Kerkring is also part of the village structure. For planning purposes, you can distinguish between two main focuses: the history of the buildings and cultural activities in the village, and the dikes and their plant life.
Village History and Historic Buildings
The Hervormde Kerk was founded in 1464 and completed in 1499. After a partial fire in 1632, it burned down again in 1799 and was rebuilt in 1809. Molen de Korenbloem marks another point in time: built in 1705 as a round, brick tower mill with a gallery, it is the oldest mill on Goeree-Overflakkee. Together, the two buildings illustrate specific stages in the village’s history, from the construction of the church to the later milling tradition.
The Streekmuseum Goeree-Overflakkee also brings architecture and history together. It is housed in distinctive 17th-century buildings with stepped gables and offers an immersive virtual reality experience about the 1953 North Sea flood. A visit to the museum therefore combines a historic architectural setting with a digital experience about a momentous event.
Museums, Art, and Events
Hofstede Lust & Last dates back to 1672; the residential house on the grounds is a Rijksmonument. The Hofstede is also a venue each year for Kunstkijk Goeree-Overflakkee. Another annual event is Holle Bolle Dag, which brings history and community together. The festival includes a craft market featuring local products and handmade goods. Individual editions may vary in their program. If you are planning to attend, check the date of the relevant edition before your trip.
At the Havenkom, you can take a break by the water and view artworks by Jaap Reedijk. Reedijk’s studio is also in Sommelsdijk. His art combines painting and photography with imagination; his works bring together abstract and recognizable figurative elements. Art is therefore encountered in the village both as a visible feature by the water and through an artist’s distinctive visual style.
Local Specialties and Beer
Bakkerij Koese in Sommelsdijk sells Kruukplaetjes, a Flakkee specialty. At the tasting room of Brouwerij Solaes, visitors can enjoy a varied selection of beers, including seasonal beers and beers from community breweries. These offer two distinct local experiences: a regional bakery specialty and a range of different beers.
De Spin: Historic Dikes and Cycling
De Spin comprises four interconnected historic dikes, including the Panksdijkje and Sint Christoffeldijk in Sommelsdijk. The historic dikes, rich in flowers, are suitable for cycling. Rare plants such as agrimony, field eryngo, and wild marjoram grow there. Visitors interested in this part of Sommelsdijk will find a different focus here than at the historic buildings: cycling and plant life take center stage on the dikes.
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