Brands (Netherlands) - Marken (Niederlande)

Brands is a previous island in the Zuiderzee, today's Markermeer. Marken has been linked to the mainland by a dike since 1957. She belongs to the church Waterland in the province North Holland.

background

In the 13th century monks from the Frisian monastery Mariëngaarde came to the island. They lived mainly from agriculture and animal husbandry. To protect itself against the water, the island was surrounded with dykes. In the 14th century the island came to the county of Holland. The monks were driven out. As a result, the levees were neglected. This led to repeated dike breaches and the salt water got free play again. Thereupon the houses were on small bumps that werven built. On this werven the houses are built close together and, especially near the harbor, are often built on stilts.

The residents of Marken turned to fishing. The isolated location for centuries contributed to the fact that the markers adhered to their traditional customs and traditions, including traditional costumes. Today, however, it is mainly attracted to tourists.

Marken has been a tourist hotspot for over 100 years. Together with Volendam, it is a must for coach companies and is therefore often overcrowded in the high season. In quieter times, it unfolds its charm even more.

getting there

By plane

The nearest airports are in Schiphol and in The hero.

With public transport

From Amsterdam CS bus route 311 of the EBS Via Monnickendam to Marken, total travel time 40 minutes, there are also night buses to Monnickendam.

The trains from Amsterdam CS to Enkhuisen also stop in Purmerend, get off at Purmerend (not Weidevenne or Overwhere), from there take the 103 to Monnickendam and change to the 311. See also the Route plan for the whole of Waterland and the Overview of the bus routes.

The closest train station to the Netherlands Spoorwege (NS) is Purmerend.

In the street

From the Amsterdam ring road (A10), exit Volendam (exit 16), the N247 leads to the Monnickendam / Marken junction. From there, continue on the N518 to Marken.

By boat

The main port of Marken is on the Gouwzee. On the north side of the built in 1860 Rijkshaven (Oude Haven) is the Nieuwe Haven: Buurt IV 1, Marken, Tel: 0299-601382 / 0299-601470.

mobility

The N518 ends at a large parking lot. In addition, only cars with a permit are allowed to enter the rest of the island.

Between mid-March and the end of October there is a ferry service between Marken and Volendam from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., every 30-45 minutes. information Brand Express (also in German).

Marken is great to explore by bike or on foot.

Tourist Attractions

• Hervormde kerk Kerkbuurt t / o 8 (1903-1904). Open: May to October Mon-Fri 10 am-5pm. Church service: so 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Het Paard van Marken Vuurtoren 1st lighthouse from 1839 at the easternmost point of Marken. Because of its typical shape, it was given the name "The Horse of Brands". The tower is 16 m high and has a light area of ​​16.7 km. The lighthouse is currently inhabited.

In addition, residential buildings characterize the island. They are usually built very close to one another. Around 140 houses are under monument protection. These are:

• Grotewerf
• Buurt I
• Buurt II
• Havenbuurt
• Kerkbuurt
• Kets
• Rozewerf
• Wittewerf
• Marker Museum Kerkbuurt 44-47, Tel: 0299-601904 (during opening hours) The museum is housed in six historic houses in the old center of Marken. Part of the museum has retained its original layout and is set up in the way that a Marker fishing family lived there until around 1932. In addition, the marker traditional costumes are shown and explained and various paintings by local artists.

Opening hours: 1.4.-30.9. Mon-Sat 10 am-5pm, Sun 10 am-4pm; 1.10.-31.10. Mon-Sun 10 am-4pm. Entrance fees: Adults € 2.50; Children (-12) € 1.25. HollandPass. MJK.

• Sijtje Boes Havenbuurt 21, Tel: 0299 ​​601451. In her apartment on the harbor, Sijtje Boes opened a shop for tourists in the last century. The former house is still open to the public and you get a good impression of the inside of the marker. By the way, souvenirs are still sold here. The shop is therefore open Monday to Saturday during the season (April to October).

activities

Rondje brands or "circumnavigating the brand" is a hike where you can hardly get lost. The starting point is at any arbitrary point on the island dike and then it goes - clockwise or counterclockwise - always along the dike. It's eight kilometers and less than two hours, but the impression of the island and the surrounding water is refreshing.

Brands cycle route is a 51 or 45 km bike ride from Amsterdam to Marken and back.

Water sports enthusiasts will find various good spots for sailing and windsurfing here. In addition, the coast on the east side of the island is very gently sloping. You can walk 50 meters and more into the water and still have standing depth.

shop

Marken has numerous souvenir shops and a supermarket. The souvenir shops concentrate on the Havenbuurt.

kitchen

• Land en Zeezicht Havenbuurt 6, Tel: 0299-601302. Good restaurant with Dutch-French cuisine. Fish specialties.

Prices: Three-course menu from € 27.50; Three-course à la carte menu from: € 22.50.

Opening hours: Lunch Mon-Sun 11 am-5pm; Dinner: Mon, Wed, Thu 4-8pm; di 16-22 h; fri-sun 16-20.30 h.

• Café De Visscher Havenbuurt 22, Tel: 0299-601304. Dutch cuisine at reasonable prices. Nice location at Marker Harbor. Eat pub with a cozy interior.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9 am-10pm.

• Hof van Marken Buurt II 15; Tel: 0299-601300. The only hotel-restaurant on the island is located in the middle of the Marker Houses jungle. You can drink your coffee or a beer at the counter or on the outside terrace, but you can also order a delicious meal in the restaurant.

Opening hours: Lunch: sat-sun (school holidays wed-sun) Dinner wed-sun.

• Luchroom Oud brands Buurterstraat 19, Tel: 0299-601339.

nightlife

There is not any. As soon as the last tourist buses have disappeared, the passages in the dyke are blocked and the islanders are among themselves again.

That's right, there are no bars, restaurants etc. that are open at night. But "the passages are blocked in the dike" is not true. We lived on Marken for a year. We and our friends / acquaintances could at any time of the day or night over the dam on the island and leave it again.

accommodation

• Hof van Marken Buurt II, 15. Tel: 0299-601300. The only hotel in Marken has seven simple but tasteful rooms with a beautiful view of the water.

Prices: Standard room double € 95.00 (single room € 80.00); Luxury room with sea view double room € 105.00 (single room € 95.00); Suite with sea view € 125.00 double (single € 105.00). Prices include tourist tax but do not include breakfast. Breakfast is available for € 12.50 p. P. served.

health

Practical advice

post

The Marker Post Office is located on Westerstraat 10. Postage stamps are also available in any souvenir shop.

literature