Colijnsplaat: Cultural History and the Oosterschelde

Colijnsplaat combines a protected villagescape with maritime art, historical memory and the tidal landscape of the Oosterschelde. The village lies within Oosterschelde National Park. If you are looking for hotels in Colijnsplaat, these highlights can help you decide whether it is the right destination for you: would you like to focus your stay on historic buildings, maritime art or routes through Noord-Beveland?

History in the Villagescape

The Voorstraat is lined with old lime trees and monumental buildings. Notable buildings include the monumental Regthuys, dating from 1769. De Oude Molen also tells a story of different construction periods: the present mill was built in 1727, replacing a predecessor that had already been built in 1598. Colijnsplaat thus brings together two distinct historical markers: the date of the Regthuys and the succession of two mills.

Maritime Art and Historical Remembrance

Gallery Maritime specialises in contemporary maritime art. As exhibitions change, it is worth checking what is currently on offer before visiting. Art is just one of the village’s cultural themes: the Colijnsplaat war memorial commemorates the repelling of a German attack on 25 November 1944. The targets of the attack were the lock belonging to the Oud en Nieuw Noord-Beveland Water Board and the Dutch Reformed Church.

The Nehalennia Temple stands on a site overlooking Colijnsplaat’s marina. The Nehalennia Foundation aims to keep the temple open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; unexpected changes are possible. Check the opening hours before visiting.

Another memorial site lies on the Oosterscheldedijk between Colijnsplaat and the Zeelandbrug: the Monument for the Drowned Villages in Zeeland. The names of 117 villages in Zeeland that were lost to the sea can be read on its steps. The monument thus connects a specific place on the dike with the memory of the province’s sunken villages.

Tidal Landscape and Routes

The Oosterschelde near Colijnsplaat is a tidal landscape. At low tide, one third of this sea arm falls dry—a defining feature of the landscape. Boat trips on the Oosterschelde can use Colijnsplaat harbour as a starting point. Operators and timetables may vary; check in advance which trips suit your plans.

The routes also vary in length and description. The 15-kilometre “Fietstocht Inlagen Noord-Beveland” cycle tour runs along inner and outer dikes past inlagen, karrevelden and bird islands, as well as through picturesque Colijnsplaat. The 36-kilometre “Ontdek Noord-Beveland” route follows the contours of the island and also passes through the village. The Noord-Beveland Oost mountain biking route covers 21 kilometres and is marked with wooden posts and red arrows. The distances give you a concrete idea of the length of each route, while their landscape and waymarking features offer different highlights.

Events During Your Stay

The Colijnsplaatse Dagen are held annually; dates and programme vary. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for the relevant year. With changing exhibitions, an annual event, tides and possible boat trips, there are several different things to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Stroodorp, Kats, Geersdijk, Kortgene, Kamperland, Wissenkerke.

Back to the main travel overview: Noord-Beveland.