Those who choose Lekkerkerk are opting for a long, narrow dike village shaped by the river. Large areas are used mainly for agriculture, while the church, flood protection and work on the water also tell the story of the village. Here, you can explore the built history of the village and the landscape at Bakkerswaal as two different aspects of the same water-shaped setting.
Dike Landscape and Bakkerswaal
Bakkerswaal was formed during the great St. Elizabeth’s flood of 1421 as a kolk created by a dike breach. Eendenkooi Bakkerswaal covers 22 hectares and is the largest duck decoy in the Netherlands still in use. It is advisable to check the operating details before your visit. At the foot of the Lekdijk, the duck decoy has a bird-watching point with wide views across the Kooiplas. A public footpath runs north of Bakkerswaal. This landscape site thus highlights both the body of water’s origins and its continued use.
Church, Wall and Local History
The Dorpskerk on Kerkplein, in the historic part of Lekkerkerk, dates back to the 13th century. It is a Rijksmonument, a designated national heritage site, and is of great historical value. In 1575, the Spanish burned down the church and the entire village; it took another 40 years before a church building could be used again. The church therefore tells not only of medieval origins, but also of a long period of rebuilding.
Another chapter in the village’s history is the Muur van Lekkerkerk. After dike breaches in January and February 1760, the historic wall was replaced by a wall made of IJssel bricks. Its steps were used to collect water from the Lek for washing and to fish in the river. Ships supplying local shops and businesses were unloaded through its openings. The steps and openings served different purposes: one connected everyday life with the river, while the other linked shipping with local supplies.
Along the Lekdijk are impressive farmhouses dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in Opperduit. They complement the history of religious buildings and water engineering with agricultural architecture. The rope-making workshop of the Roest family, one of the best-known ropeworks in the Krimpenerwaard, is part of the area’s local craft history. For centuries, agriculture, salmon fishing on the Lek, shipping and shipbuilding shaped the livelihoods of people in Lekkerkerk. The farmhouses and trades thus offer two distinct perspectives on local history: life in the countryside and work on the river.
Travel by Bus
Bus route 292 connects Capelsebrug in Rotterdam with Lekkerkerk and stops in the village centre. If you travel by bus, this stop is a useful point of reference for exploring the village. Check the timetable before your journey.
Discover more destinations: Krimpen aan de Lek.
Return to the main travel overview: Nederlek.
