Kerkwerve: Ring Village, Church and Polder Landscape

Kerkwerve is one of the ring villages of Schouwen-Duiveland. The village centre is arranged in a ring around the church; historic buildings and nature themes give the place its distinctive character. For orientation, the village’s history, special events and landscape can be considered as separate themes. This lets you organise your impressions according to whether you are more interested in local history, technical heritage or nature.

Church, Village Setting and History

The Nederlands Hervormde kerk at Weelweg 1 is a Rijksmonument. The church contains a pulpit dating from 1700. The first church in Kerkwerve was founded around 1200. These represent two different points in time: the early founding of the first church and a precisely dated furnishing in the church.

At the Ring, or on Weelweg, there is a statue of community nurse Cornelia van Zijp-Bijlo on her motorcycle. The statue provides a different focus from the church and buildings: it centres on a named person and a motorcycle as part of the depiction.

Technical heritage is also among the historical themes around Kerkwerve. West of the village is the former steam pumping station “Schouwen”, the oldest scoop-wheel pumping station in Zeeland. The grain mill “De Zwaan” was built in 1886 in Moriaanshoofd near Kerkwerve. The church, mill and pumping station represent different aspects of history: a religious building, a grain mill and water engineering.

A man-made Vliedberg is also located west of Kerkwerve. As an artificial mound, it differs from the buildings and technical installations; this landscape feature adds another dimension to the village’s historical themes.

Special Experiences and Events

At every Open Monumentendag, horses are shod in the Travaljes in Kerkwerve managed by the foundation. This demonstration takes place specifically on this special heritage day. If you are planning to see this experience, check the date of the relevant Open Monumentendag.

Recreatieboerderij Langeraad has a model railway museum with several model railways. At special events, children and adults can ride the miniature steam train. The railway experiences are distinct: the museum focuses on several model railways, while the ride offers an experience aboard a miniature steam train. If you are planning one of these time-specific experiences, check the relevant event date.

Polder Landscape and Cycling Route

Flaauwersinlaag is next to the restaurant “de Heerenkeet” at Boogerdweg 1 in Kerkwerve. Prunjepolder is a nature area right by the Oosterschelde. Creeks and marshes shape the area, which attracts many birds. A footpath leads to the Zuidkaap observation tower, which offers expansive views over Prunjepolder. The area’s specific landscape features and the wide views across it provide different perspectives on nature.

A named cycling route also passes through Kerkwerve: “Monumentaal fietsen Midden-Schouwen” runs along the dikes. If you would like to include a cycling route in your travel plans, this is one way to explore Kerkwerve by bike.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ouwerkerk, Ellemeet, Noordwelle, Zonnemaire, Nieuwerkerk, Serooskerke Schouwen, Renesse, Westenschouwen.

For the main travel overview: Schouwen-Duiveland.