Nieuw- En Sint Joosland brings together a windmill, a peace monument and a church with its own local history. There is also a seasonal rest stop and a former ferry connection to Middelburg; the drive to the city centre also provides a practical travel-time estimate.
Windmill: Year Built and Present-Day Use
Buiten Verwachting is a round stone ground-sail windmill dating from 1874. It stands in the Mortierepolder at the end of Molenweg in the hamlet of Nieuwland. It was officially put back into operation on 27 August 1983. Today, it turns regularly again, but it is no longer used for milling. If you are planning your visit around the mill in operation, check its current operating status in advance.
Commemoration and Church Architecture
The peace monument in Nieuw- En Sint Joosland is about three metres high. A carved dove of peace sits on top of the column; the monument also includes a fence and four plaques. It stands in the public cemetery on Westelijke Oude Havendijk. It commemorates about twenty residents who lost their lives in an accidental Allied bombing of Sint Joostland during the Second World War. Its form and dedication thus connect a clearly located place of remembrance with the specific historical event.
The present-day Eben Haëzerkerk was opened on 6 May 1883. It is a hall church with Gothic windows. The term “hall church” describes the building type, while the Gothic windows highlight a specific design feature. Alongside the history of the windmill and the memorial, this gives you another distinct architectural point of interest in the village.
Rest Stop and Local History
For a break along the way, Theetuin 't Lokkertje is a rest stop for cyclists and walkers; drinks and something tasty are available there seasonally. Check the current opening days if you want to make a stop part of your day’s plans. Less than 20 metres from the Theetuin is a recently restored monumental culvert. This places the seasonal offering and a striking structure in close proximity.
The former ferry from Nieuwland to Middelburg was located here until the Mortierepolder was drained in 1846; until then, the island was isolated. This early chapter predates the village’s dated buildings: the windmill dates from 1874, and the present-day Eben Haëzerkerk opened in 1883.
Planning Your Stay
You can reach central Middelburg from Nieuw- En Sint Joosland by car in five minutes. Traffic can affect the actual journey time, so use this as an estimate when combining city visits with a stay in the village.
The village has a neighbourhood shop, which provides a small-scale shopping option. As small retail businesses can change, check current opening hours for specific errands. Theatre De Wegwijzer is located at Molenweg 25, 4339 AA, in Nieuw- En Sint Joosland. Programme details may change. If you are planning a visit, check the current programme in advance.
Discover more destinations: Middelburg, Arnemuiden.
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