"AFSLUITDIJK" Kornwerderzand by pieter_jan_v

Kornwerderzand Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 20 photos

Kornwerderzand

Kornwerderzand is the only destinations in the Virtual Tourist database related to the AFSLUITDIJK. I will use this entry to store my info on this dike and all its destinations.

Afsluitdijk History

A7-Highway

The construction of the Afsluitdijk was finished at 1.02PM, may 28 in1932. This dike closes the former Zuiderzee from open seawater (the Waddenzee) and connects the provinces Noord-Holland and Friesland. The dike was made to protect the inner coastlines along the old Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer) and to allow the construction of new polders.

Already in the 17th century there were plans for a dam, but it lasted to the floods of 1916 till the plans of Ir. Cornelis Lely were taking serious. At June 14 1918 the Zuiderzeewet passed through government and a new
governmentbody -Dienst der Zuiderzeewerken- was responsible for the realisation.

The first step in 1920 was to connect the former Island of Wieringen to the main land by construction of the Amsteldijk (see my Amstelmeer-page).

In 1927 the construction of the Afsluitdijk started.

At Jananuary 23 1933 the dike was open to traffic that had to pay toll for the 2-lane road. There were plans for construction of a railroad, but in stead the road was extended to a 4-lane highway in 1976.

There are 2 lock-complexes -Stevin and Lorentz- to control the waterlevel in the IJsselmeer.

Since March 1, 2011 the maximum speed at the Afsluitdijk highway is 130 km/hour.

More Info

The closure

Afsluitdijk closure

The moment at 1.02 PM at May 28 1932.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fast connection
Cons:You have to break twice
In a nutshell:30 kilometers with a spectacular wide view

Last visit to Kornwerderzand: Feb 2003
Intro Updated Mar 2, 2011
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Reviews (10)

From space Favorites (4)

The Afsluitdijk is a straight line for most of the dike. Only at the Frisian side there's a bend leading it over the... more travel advice

From the air Favorites (4)

Here's an aerial picture of Kornwerderzand. more travel advice

The Dike Profile Favorites (4)

Here 's the profile of the dike. Notice the typical Dutch bicycle path! more travel advice

War games - Kazematten Museum Things to Do (5)

At Kornwerderzand The Dutch armed forces stopped the German invasion in May 1940. It was impossible for the German... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Bridge open!!

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Comments (6)

beanie777 Mar 12, 2011 at 9:42 PM Report Abuse

I rode this during my trip to NL in 09.. The view from the monument was spectacular. Now, someday to come back and cycle across it. Enjoyed the photos.. brought back fond memories.
36waterfalls Feb 11, 2007 at 5:42 AM Report Abuse

I've always wanted to drive this stretch of the Netherlands. You've just convinced me!
iandsmith Aug 12, 2004 at 2:28 PM Report Abuse

Interesting info.
yen_2 Mar 30, 2003 at 1:04 AM Report Abuse

Interesting place and page! Great pictures too, Pieter:)
rozehill Mar 29, 2003 at 4:10 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting tips and delightful pictures of the dikes
ATLC Mar 24, 2003 at 5:20 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for filling the gap on important Dutch history and engineering.