ROUTE 1:  PURPOSE-BUILT LANDSCAPES

(North Holland and Amsterdam area)

It is said that ‘God created the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands’. And there is some truth in this. This route takes you to see several notable examples of how the Dutch designed and constructed their country to meet their needs.

 1. The ‘Purpose-Built Landscapes’ route starts in the centre of Amsterdam. The world-famous Canal Ring Area is a masterpiece of 17th-century urban planning, hydraulic engineering and outstanding architecture that continues to serve as an example for other cities.

 2. Next stop Muiden, where you take the ferry to Pampus Island. The sea fort is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. Here you discover how the Dutch built a system of fortifications that enabled them to create a unique water defence line.

 3. Lastly you visit the Beemster Polder, a textbook example of a purpose-built landscape. In 1612 a lake that repeatedly flooded the surrounding area was drained and converted into fertile farmland. The Beemster polder owes its fame to its neat geometric layout in accordance with Renaissance ideals.