"Open air museum the Zaanse Schans" Zaanse Schans by MATIM

Zaanse Schans Travel Guide: 135 reviews and 640 photos

The Zaanse Schans is a typical residential area along the river Zaan with green wooden houses and windmills dating from the 17th and the 18th century.
What makes the Zaanse Schans so special is that it is both a museum and a living and working area.

The area was named 'De Zaanse Schans' after an entrenchment which was erected in 1574 to hold back Spanish troops at the beginning of the Eighty Years War between the Netherlands and Spain. People work and live in the Zaanse Schans: they feel at home in the area and keep alive the glory which this industrial district saw in the golden age. Visiting the Zaanse Schans, you will see a situation characteristic of the landscape of that district until late in the nineteenth century. The dikes were probably built as early as the thirteenth century, the first villages were built along these at a later date. Until late in the last century these were typical 'dike-villages'.

From Dye mill the "kat" you have a nice view at this house and mill

Last visit to Zaanse Schans: Mar 2004
Intro Written Mar 28, 2004
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Reviews (8)

Zaanse Schans Things to Do (6)

The best way to go to the Zaanse is Schans is by train, or you can park you car at the trainstation, because you have to... more travel advice

clogs Things to Do (6)

wow look at all the clogs at the celling, what a work must have been that hanging them all! more travel advice

souvenirs at warehouse De Vrede (peace) Things to Do (6)

At 'De Vrede' (peace) warehouse are sold lots of real Dutch souvenirs. Be aware that the souvenirs are more expensive... more travel advice

different kinds of clogs - Zaanse Schans

different kinds of clogs Off The Beaten Path (2)

at the clogs museum you see a lot of different kinds of clogs, I particularly liked these skates and roller skates more travel advice

Comments (3)

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pcg821 Mar 8, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Hi Ilse,excellent tips and photos on Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans. your pages on NL are very helpful,I will visit Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans September 12-17
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aussirose Aug 17, 2008 at 5:02 PM

Mmmm, lovely pix Ilse! What a beautiful place!! Clogs on roller skates? haha. That's funny :o) Hugs xx
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hunterV Nov 3, 2005 at 10:46 AM

I'd like to be there some day.../