Ilpendam: Church History, Canals and Polder Routes

Ilpendam between the village centre and canal history

Ilpendam’s original village centre lies between the former course of the Noord-Hollands Kanaal and the Purmerringvaart. The historic waterway is also part of the village’s history: in the 17th century, the towpath connection from Amsterdam to Purmerend was built right past Ilpendam. The canal was later widened and incorporated into the Noordhollandsch Kanaal. The village centre and canal thus offer different historical perspectives on Ilpendam.

Churches, architectural history and village character

The Hervormde Kerk at Kerkstraat 19 is a single-nave building with a five-sided apse. Parts date from 1656; the church was partially renovated in 1850 and a west tower was added in 1868. A bell made by Gerhard Schimmel in 1682, measuring 123 centimetres in diameter, hangs in the tower’s bell chamber. The mechanical clock mechanism in the tower was made by Eijsbouts in 1923. The building’s design, renovations and tower details provide several clearly dated historical features.

The history of the Heilige Sebastianusparochie in Ilpendam begins in 1411 with the construction of a chapel dedicated to the Roman martyr Sint Sebastianus. Another trace of the village’s history is Slot Ilpenstein: it was built around 1622 on the site of a fortified position erected by the Spanish and demolished in 1872. The characteristic ribbon development, with its distinctive buildings, is also considered valuable to the village’s character.

Walking through the polders

The marked Vurige Staartroute follows the Oudelandsdijkje cycle path on the outward leg and the Purmer grass embankment on the return. The Hekkenroute starts in Ilpendam and leads through the extensive polders of the Purmer to Edam. There are good chances of spotting meadow birds along this route; you may also see a kestrel. There are 14 stiles along the way. The routes therefore offer different highlights: possible birdwatching and a destination on the Hekkenroute, and named sections of the trail on the Vurige Staartroute.

Cycling and the Ronde van Ilpendam

The Ronde van Ilpendam offers signposted cycling and walking routes that are available digitally and can be downloaded to your own cycle navigation device. The event routes start and finish in Ilpendam. Participants receive a stamp card and a race number for each route they choose. As participant regulations may change, check the latest information before taking part.

Another cycling route, Beleef het levend veen, follows a winding dike to Ilpendam. From there, you can enjoy a view over the Purmer and see the polder’s difference in elevation. After leaving the centre, the route crosses the Noordhollandsch Kanaal by ferry and continues to the Bezoekerscentrum Ilperveld. The dike, views across the polder and canal crossing bring together different impressions of the landscape along this route.

Ilpendam on the water

You can also explore the surrounding area by water; a boat can be rented to discover the ‘t Varkensland nature reserve. If you are planning this part of your stay, check in advance whether a boat is available. BoatVerhuur Waterland takes visitors from Ilpendam directly into the open countryside, with tranquillity, wide-open spaces and nature at the heart of its offering. The Ilpendam–Landsmeer ferry connects Ilpendam and Landsmeer. If you plan to take this crossing, check the current service before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Katwoude, Zuiderwoude, Purmer, Broek In Waterland, Watergang, Marken, Uitdam, Monnickendam

For the broader travel overview: Waterland.