Sint Jansklooster: Nature, History and Water

Sint Jansklooster offers a range of reasons to visit: the nature of De Wieden, historic buildings and recurring events. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip here, you can plan your dates around whether you are mainly interested in excursions, views or a particular festival.

Nature Experiences and Excursions

De Wieden is a wetland area covering more than 6,000 hectares in the Kop van Overijssel. The De Wieden Visitor Centre is located in the first farmhouse on Beulakerpad in Sint Jansklooster and provides information about routes and boat trips. The cultural-historical cycling route through De Wieden also starts at the visitor centre. Guided boat trips take visitors through the wetland in open, whisper-quiet boats, accompanied by forest rangers or nature guides. A guided boat trip and the start of a cycling route at the visitor centre offer two different ways to experience De Wieden.

The Vlonderpad, a short circular trail across floating land, is also located by the visitor centre. It is 1 km long. The visitor centre is accessible to wheelchair users, as is one of its walking trails. The Vlonderpad is described as a circular trail, without any specific accessibility information being given. At OERRR Speelnatuur De Wieden, activities include building huts, playing in mud and water, and following a barefoot path.

From the May holidays through September, the Waterbus connects Sint Jansklooster with Giethoorn and Blokzijl twice a day. As this service is seasonal, it is a good idea to check the timetable before travelling. This allows you to plan a Waterbus trip differently from a walk along the Vlonderpad or a visit to the visitor centre.

Historic Traces and Views

The Muur van Sint Jansklooster is the last tangible remnant of the Sint Janskamp monastery. The monastery was founded in 1399 by the blind monk Johannes van Ommen. The Sint Jansklooster water tower was built in 1931–1932 and officially opened as an observation tower in 2014. A wooden staircase leads to the top; from a height of 45 metres, visitors can enjoy views across De Wieden. Reservations are recommended for visits to the tower. The Muur recalls the history of the monastery, while the water tower combines architectural history with views over the wetland.

The Monnikenmolen is another of the town’s historic buildings. This fully restored, octagonal Dutch windmill still grinds grain into flour. During the season, pancakes made with flour from the mill are served at the Monnikenmolen visitor centre. A visit to the mill and the pancake offering thus connect the building with its present-day work and a specific taste experience. As the offering is seasonal, it is advisable to plan your visit for the relevant period.

Events Throughout the Year

The Bloemencorso Sint Jansklooster takes place every year on the third Friday in August. Thirteen or fourteen floats parade through Sint Jansklooster. Since 2000, the Bloemencorso has been presented as a theatrical parade. For travel planning, the August date is not the only thing that matters: its distinctive presentation also sets the event apart from an ordinary parade.

The Kloostermarkt has been held every year on King’s Day in Sint Jansklooster since 1978. The Bloemencorso and the Kloostermarkt therefore provide different dates around which to plan a visit: one falls on the third Friday in August, the other on King’s Day. If your trip depends on an event, check the exact dates and programme details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Scheerwolde, Kallenkote, De Bult, Steenwijkerwold, Belt-Schutsloot, Wanneperveen, Blokzijl, Vollenhove.

For the main travel overview: Steenwijkerland.