In Schoondijke, agriculture is a clearly recognizable key to the town’s history. It continues to shape the character of the surrounding area, although its importance is declining, and is also reflected in art and the museum. Anyone considering Schoondijke as a destination for a stay will find a specific focus here: agricultural tradition, local history and commemorative culture. The sights offer different points of interest, from sculptures and mill construction to remembrance of the occupation years.
Agriculture in the townscape and in art
“De Zaaier” stands in the centre of Schoondijke. Erected in 1965, this work by sculptor Philip ten Klooster symbolizes the town’s agricultural tradition. “Landarbeiders” also focuses on work in the fields: the sculpture by Jan Haas stands on the renovated Dorpsplein and pays tribute to the workers employed in agriculture. Together, the works point to different aspects of the same tradition—one focuses on sowing, the other on the people who work in agriculture.
“Het Paard” adds another motif. The artwork on Lange Heerenstraat symbolizes Schoondijke’s close connection with agriculture and pays tribute to the Zeeuwse trekpaard. Those interested in public art can keep these different connections in mind: the works do not tell the same story, but each emphasizes different aspects. The Landbouw Wandeling leads to six different sculptures and offers a distinct way to make local art the focus of a walking tour.
Museum, activities and mill history
The Het Klinket agricultural museum displays an extensive collection of old agricultural machinery, as well as changing exhibitions and new exhibits. Het Klinket also offers farmer’s golf and football golf. This brings several ways of engaging with agriculture together in Schoondijke: historical machinery and changing exhibitions on the one hand, and recreational activities on the other.
Another point of interest is the Hulsters Molen, a round stone grain mill in Schoondijke, Zeeland. Belgian millwright P. Willems originally built it in 1884. After a fire, only the mill tower remained; the mill was restored in 1900. Among other components, a cap wheel from a post mill in Bruges and a spruit from a mill in Cadzand were used. During the restoration, a cap wheel from a post mill in Bruges and a spruit from a mill in Cadzand were brought together at the Hulsters Molen.
Grain is still milled at the Hulsters Molen by volunteers today. Freshly milled flour is available at the mill. The building history, volunteer milling and flour on offer are different aspects of the same mill—from its historic restoration to what visitors can buy there.
Remembrance and early local history
The Schoondijke war memorial commemorates all fellow townspeople who lost their lives in acts of war during the occupation years. On 23 October 2010, a natural stone plaque bearing the names of 33 residents who lost their lives was added. The dedication of the memorial and the names recorded on the plaque complement one another, but have different focuses: the memorial is dedicated to all affected fellow townspeople, while the plaque records 33 names.
The town’s history reaches back a long way: Schoondijke already existed in 1248 under its former name, Vuyldijke. Together with the war memorial, this provides a distinct historical point of interest alongside the town’s agricultural character. When choosing your destination, you can consider what interests you most: art, agriculture and mill history form one thematic thread; remembrance and early local history form another.
Discover more destinations: Eede, Waterlandkerkje, Nieuwvliet-Bad, Cadzand-Bad, Zuidzande, Sluis, Hoofdplaat, Breskens.
Back to the main travel overview: Sluis.
