Discover the Hidden Gems of Wormerland: A Unique Experience from Valerius Boutique Hotel

Welcome to the underrated Wormer, just ask Marcel van Roosmalen, yet there are enough gems to discover in the municipality of Wormerland in North Holland. From the stylish Valerius Boutique Hotel I will take you on a journey of discovery through this historic region with its rich industrial heritage, picturesque landscapes and authentic Dutch charm.

Wormer: Unknown village in the Zaanstreek

Wormer, part of the municipality of Wormerland, is a village in this region Zaanstreek with just over ten thousand inhabitants. It is located on the edge of the Wormer- and Jisperveld, a beautiful water-rich nature reserve. During the Golden Age this area, together with the Beemster, the Schermer and the Wormer, was Europe's first industrial zone. The rivers Zaan, Bamestra and Schermer ensured an economic boom in which inhabitants were active in fishing, mill building and trade in the Baltic Sea.

Jisp: From Maritime Superpower to Hidden Pearl

Jisp, a picturesque village in the municipality of Wormerland, is located in the Wormer- and Jisperveld nature reserve and has a rich maritime history. The name dates back to the Middle Ages and refers to 'foaming water' due to tides. During the Golden Age, Jisp reached its peak with its own fleet - in 1567, three ships were the first from the Zaan region to sail through the Sound for Baltic Sea trade. The village flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries through whaling and herring fishing, with a population of around 3,800 at the time. In the historic Jisper House from around 1850, visitors can discover this rich fishing history and experience traditional Zaan culture.

Places of interest

• The Town Hall from 1650, a historic building that replaced an earlier town hall on the same location.

• The Reformed Church, built in 1822 on the site of an earlier church. The church still contains a choir screen and pulpit from the 17th century. Monthly “Candlelight Concerts” are organized here.

• The characteristic ditch, a characteristic element of the village that contributes to the cultural-historical landscape of the Zaan region.

• The Wormer- and Jisperveld nature reserve in Jisp also offers the possibility to rent rowing boats.

• The Jisper House, a fisherman's cottage from around 1850 where visitors can experience the rich fishing history and even have their picture taken in traditional Zaanse costume.

Neck: Where History and Nature Meet

Neck, a hamlet and former village in the municipality of Wormerland, has several sights that reflect its rich history and unique landscape:

• The Neckermolen - A historic watermill built around 1631, located near the hamlet of Spijkerboor with a view over the protected Jisperveld nature reserve.

• Monumental buildings and farmhouses - Along the Noorderweg you will find characteristic monumental buildings and large detached villas, as well as historic farmhouses with regional yard layout and planting.

• The Noorderweg - Characteristic of this road is the double row of trees that makes the landscape and the development history tangible.

• Tea garden with apple orchard - On the Zwarteweg you will find a tea garden with apple orchard that is open during the summer months.

• Marina - Neck has a marina with various sailing routes to larger waters.

• Restaurant Mario - The former star restaurant of Mario Uva is located here.

• Gauge - At the village hall on Wijdewormerplein there is a gauge that indicates the NAP in relation to the village.

• Cultural-historical exhibition - In addition to Mario's restaurant, the Wijdewormer Cultural History Foundation has set up an exhibition with cultural-historical objects from Wijdewormer, such as traditional costumes.

• Wormer- and Jisperveld - This nature reserve is accessible from Neck and offers opportunities for walking, cycling and sailing.

  
  

Oostzaan: Historic Ribbon with Water-rich Natural Beauty

Oostzaan is an independent municipality with a green, rural character. The northern part of this long, narrow village has two streets with a beautiful view of meadows, barns, drawbridges and canals. The Oostzanerveldpolder is a protected nature reserve.

Oostzaan is known for its poultry farming, but also has a colourful history with famous residents such as the pirate Claes Compaen (1587-1660), painter Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen (1470-1533) and the internationally recognised interior designer Piet Boon (born 1958).

Nature reserves

The Oostzanerveld

A unique peat meadow area with hundreds of islands of quaking bog, part of the National Landscape Laag Holland and the Natura 2000 area. This protected nature reserve is best experienced from the water, where you can see the so-called 'vaarboeren' who go to cows and sheep with their boat.

Recreation area Het Twiske

This 650 hectare area (of which a third consists of water) offers numerous recreational opportunities: swimming, diving, surfing, canoeing and sailing. There are beaches, an adventure playground, a diving park, a harbour, a climbing park, a care farm and a monumental mill. Spot the real Scottish Highlanders here

Wormer: Industrial Heritage

Wormer, nicknamed "Lapis Lazuli with a Golden Head", is a paradise for lovers of industrial heritage. The famous industrial complex Wessanen was founded in 1765 on the banks of the Zaan and has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The warehouses bear names such as De Schepel, Bassein, Java, Batavia, Saigon, Rangoon, Koningbergen, Oslo and Silo, which refer to their past as rice mills, vegetable oil factories or grain warehouses.

In the 17th and 18th centuries there were more than 150 registered companies and 50 bakeries in Wormer that supplied goods to the Dutch East India Company and West India Company.

East Knollendam: Ribbon village between Zaan and peat meadow area

The name of the village comes from a dam from the thirteenth century, the “Noord-Dam van de Zaenden”, which connected Oostknollendam with Westknollendam until the sixteenth century. Characteristic of this dam were the knollen, or the 'exits of the dike'. In 1635 the dam was removed, so that the Zaan water has flowed between Oost- and Westknollendam ever since.

Sights and Activities

• Nature reserve Wormer- en Jisperveld - The largest contiguous peat meadow area in Western Europe, a patchwork of water and land with hundreds of meadows surrounded by reed beds and narrow ditches. In spring it is teeming with meadow birds.

• Schaalsmeerpolder - An area with many birds between Oostknollendam and Wormer, perfect for hikers who enjoy bird watching.

• Visitor centre De Poelboerderij - Located on the Veerdijk in Wormer, offers information about the plant, bird and animal life of the peat meadow area, with children's games, illustrations and nature plates.

• Ferry at Spijkerboor - The Jan Hop Spijkerboor ferry is part of the ferry routes around Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer and is often used by recreational cyclists

Wijdewormer: An Extensive Polder with Farms

Wijdewormer, also in the municipality of Wormerland, is a "droogmakerij" - the Dutch word for a polder on reclaimed land. This rectangular polder is surrounded by a ring canal and a dike.

In the past, the area was dotted with monumental farms and country houses. Today, the population has declined and cattle breeding is the main activity. In 1999, part of the agricultural land was replaced by an 18-hole golf course.

Spike Drill: A Strategic Location

Spijkerboor, a hamlet in the municipality of Wormerland, is located at the intersection of the Knollendammervaart and the Beemsterringvaart. Café Het Heerenhuis is a popular place for cyclists and hikers. Since 1911, the ferry has sailed here, announcing itself with a horn. Spijkerboor can also be reached by a regular ferry from Noordeinde, but with a modern signal tower to let people know when the ferry is leaving.

Wormerveer: Historic Warehouses

Wormerveer has formed a unique skyline around the ferry location. The warehouses on the Zaan River, opposite Wormer, stand side by side with the owners' factories on the other side of the water.

The Zaanbocht and Zaanboulevard together form a lively shopping street with cafés, restaurants and interesting shops. The Zaanbocht offers a beautiful view of the river with historical buildings on one side and industrial monuments on the other bank.

Industrial Heritage of the Zaanstreek

Without the invention of the sawmill in 1594, there would have been no Dutch East India Company, West India Company or Golden Age. Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest built a mill that could saw wood mechanically. This technology made the mass production of wooden planks possible, which led to the development of all kinds of mills: sawmills, oil mills, paper mills, hemp and dye mills.

The Zaanstreek became the world's first industrial area to use wind energy. At one point, there were over 1,000 windmills in operation. Many of these historic mills have been preserved along the 11-kilometre-long Zaan.

The mills flourished mainly because Amsterdam protected its own craftsmen and did not allow industrial mills within the city walls. After 1650, Amsterdam changed this policy, but it took more than a century for other European regions to follow suit.

Valerius Boutique Hotel: Your base for the Zaanstreek

Valerius Boutique Hotel in Wormer offers the perfect base to discover all these historical and natural treasures. Situated in the heart of Wormerland, our hotel combines luxury and comfort with the authentic charm of the region. After a day of discovering the Zaanstreek, you can relax in our stylish rooms and enjoy the hospitality that makes North Holland so special.

Whether you come for the industrial history, the beautiful nature of the Wormer- and Jisperveld, or the picturesque villages in the area, Valerius Boutique Hotel is your home away from home in this fascinating region.

Book your stay today and be surprised by the hidden gems of Wormerland!