Botters and fishing history at the harbour
In Bunschoten-Spakenburg, fishing history is found not only in the collections. Since the 13th century, the Spakenburg Museum Harbour has served Zuiderzee fishermen as a mooring place for their botters. The Botterwerf Spakenburg dates back to 1750 and is still in daily operation. Its slipway can hold four botters at a time for maintenance. Spakenburg is also home to one third of the entire Dutch botter fleet.
At the end of Havendijk, next to the Museum Harbour, stands De Visafslag, which is more than 100 years old. Since it ceased operating in 1986, it has served as a museum. When the large auction clock is running, visitors can place bids and, if they win, take a fish home. The Botterkerkhof also tells the story of changes in the fishing industry: off the coast of Spakenburg lie botter wrecks that their owners sank after the Zuiderzee was closed off.
Museums, traditional dress and built heritage
The Spakenburg Museum takes visitors through more than 1,500 square metres of fishermen’s houses, a farm, a shop, a school, a smokehouse and a temporary exhibition. Fishing, traditional dress, industry and football reveal different sides of Bunschoten-Spakenburg. Those particularly interested in clothing and crafts can find further insights at the Klederdracht- & Visserijmuseum: during the summer months, more than 100 traditional-costume dolls there depict stages of life from infancy to marriage, as well as work clothes and different periods of mourning. The exhibits also include miniature botters, traditional fabrics, quilts, regional handicrafts and other traditional-costume products.
The Burgwal is an archaeological Rijksmonument, with remains of the medieval town of Bunschoten preserved there. At Dorpsstraat 21 stands the Dutch Reformed church with its massive tower. Originally, it was a single-nave, late Gothic cruciform church; the choir and transept were demolished in 1790. The Visrokerij at Oude Schans 56 was given a museum use after its restoration in 1990. Visitors can walk along the Rode Loods: it is part of the Werf Nieuwboer complex and dates from around 1901.
Walking tours, cycling and the water
Guided walks through Spakenburg visit historic sites, monuments and sculptures. The meeting point is the Toeristisch Informatie Punt at Oude Schans 90; walks take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. and are limited to a maximum of twelve people. Check the date before your visit. Those who prefer to explore independently can take a walk around the harbours and learn about the town’s history and customs. There is also a walking route in each of Bunschoten and Spakenburg, passing several monuments and offering additional information via QR codes. The annual art trail runs through Bunschoten, Spakenburg and Eemdijk, where local artists present their work.
For cycling, the 20-kilometre Around Spakenburg route offers a clear itinerary: it starts at the TOP point at the Spakenburg Museum, passes through Oostdijk, Eemdijk and Palendijk, and takes about an hour and 30 minutes. Other cycle routes around Spakenburg follow the Eemmeer dyke; along the way, there are views of the former Zuiderzee, old farms, the polder landscape and numerous bird species. The Grebbelinie is also clearly visible in the landscape as a cultural and historical monument. It runs through Amersfoort to Bunschoten; cycling, walking and canoeing are possible along the line.
Botters operate on the Eemmeer from May through September. During the Spakenburgse Dagen, visitors can take a boat trip across the lake; the event combines a cultural and historical programme with a large braderie. Another trip takes visitors through the old harbour and partway across the Eemmeer on an authentic fishing vessel, accompanied by a guide. Spakenburg lies on the Eemmeer and can be reached by boat; visiting boats can moor in the harbours for one or more nights.
Getting there and local specialities
Bus route 376 runs directly from Amersfoort Central Station to the centre of Spakenburg. From Eemdijk, a ferry connects the Eem with Eemnes. It can be used by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians from 1 March to 1 November; check the timetable when planning your trip.
Local products also tell of the connection between craftsmanship and everyday life. A reconstruction of the Korenmolen de Hoop has stood beside the town hall of Bunschoten-Spakenburg since 2009. The local Klaas Hartog bakery bakes mill bread and rolls using flour from the mill. Another local speciality is Spakenburgs hart, available at all the village’s bakeries.
Discover more destinations: Bundschoten, Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Zeist, Ijsselstein, De Ronde Venen, Nieuwegein, De Bilt, Oudewater.
To the main travel overview: Utrecht.
