Vlaardingen: Fishing History and Broekpolder

Vlaardingen offers a range of themes to explore during a stay: herring fishing and harbor crafts, historic buildings, and nature and cycling routes. This makes it easy to plan a trip around your own interests, with a focus on local history, archaeological exhibits, or time in the great outdoors.

Fishing and Life on the Water

Museum Vlaardingen tells the story of a city with a rich history on the water. The permanent exhibition “Behouden Vaart!” explores two centuries of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Vlaardingen’s fishing industry. “Brood uit water” also focuses on traditions surrounding Hollandse Nieuwe. The Zeillogger VL 92 Balder offers another perspective on fishing: it was built in 1912 at A. de Jong’s shipyard in Vlaardingen and is the oldest herring logger still in operation in the Netherlands. On board, visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere and life aboard a real herring logger. The ship can be hired for a boat trip; availability depends on the current operator and should be checked before booking.

Harbor Areas, Buildings, and Crafts

Koningin Wilhelminahaven, together with the adjacent Grote Visserijplein and Oosthavenkade, is defined by its herring history, maritime heritage, and distinct harbor atmosphere. The Visbank was built in 1778 and served as a fish market for private customers until 1949; it can be visited on Westhavenkade. The Stadskraan was built in 1625 on the instruction of the municipal administration and was used mainly to install and remove the masts of fishing vessels. At the beginning of 2022, the tenth Stadskraan was ceremonially unveiled, replacing an earlier reconstruction.

The Touwbaan also tells the story of maritime craftsmanship: rope was laid there from its founding in 1611 until this work ended in 1969. Visitors can walk through the halls of this restored monument. The originally Gothic, three-aisled Grote Kerk tells a different story through time. It was destroyed in 1574, then restored and expanded three times; its interior was completely altered in 1865. Vlaardingen has a protected townscape, 79 national monuments, 22 municipal monuments, and 555 buildings and objects that contribute to the townscape.

Broekpolder and Routes through Vlaardingen

As a counterpoint to the history of the harbor and its buildings, Broekpolder offers an escape into nature. This 400-hectare recreation and nature area is surrounded by the waters of the Vlaardingse Vaart and the Vlieten; several walking trails run through the area. Masamuda, an educational archaeological open-air site, is also located in the Vlaardingse Broekpolder. Reconstructed buildings from prehistoric times and the Middle Ages illustrate the distant past. Here, natural surroundings and historical exhibits offer distinct themes to explore.

For a cycling trip, there is the 20-kilometer Fietsroute Vlaardingen, which starts at Infopunt Vlaardingen. Route details may change; check them before setting off. Infopunt provides free city maps as well as cycling and walking routes through Vlaardingen and Broekpolder. For those exploring on foot, Broekpolder has several trails. The Vlaardingen Haringstad city walk is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; as route conditions can change, it is advisable to check local information before setting out.

The Vlaardingen-Routes app offers a range of routes for exploring Vlaardingen; the selection may change with updates. It uses audio, video, and augmented reality to explore the history of the city center. These digital features may also change over the course of the project.

More Cultural Highlights

The present-day stone Molen Aeolus dates from 1790. Mill guides welcome visitors there, offer tours, and organize activities in and around the mill. Buitenplaats Van Ruytenburch in Vlaardingen combines the history of the estate with contemporary art. Together with the maritime sites and the Grote Kerk, these examples showcase different facets of the cultural heritage, from fishing history and crafts to architecture and art.

Discover more destinations: Vlaardingen, Vlaardingen, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel, Sliedrecht, Leerdam, Noordwijkerhout, Rijnwoude, Nieuw-Lekkerland.

For the full travel overview: South Holland.