Urk is one of the most interesting places in the Netherlands. For centuries it existed as a separate island in the North Sea and its inhabitants lived in close connection with the sea. Today Urk is part of the mainland in the province of Flevoland, but the former identity of the fishing community still strongly influences the functioning of the village. The transformation from an island to a mainland town was a very important episode in the history of the region and a testament to the human ability to adapt in the face of massive environmental change.
Urk’s remarkable history
The first records of Urk date back to the 10th century. For most of its history, it was a small, self-sufficient island located in the waters of the Zuiderzee. The inhabitants lived mainly from fishing and their daily life was determined by the rhythm of the tides. Storms, storms and unpredictable weather conditions meant that life on Urk required courage and solidarity. Centuries of isolation also formed strong social bonds, their own customs, distinctive dress and dialect, which is still used by the local community.
In 1932, the massive Afsluitdijk Dam was completed, cutting off the Zuiderzee from the North Sea. The decision to build it was taken after a series of catastrophic floods had hit the northern part of the country for centuries. The purpose of the dam was to protect low-lying areas from flooding and to create favourable conditions for reclaiming land for cultivation and development. As a result, the IJsselmeer freshwater lake was created from an existing body of water, making it possible to start one of the largest hydro projects in Europe – the construction of the Dutch polder system. Seven years after the completion of the dam, Urk was no longer an island. Land drainage and the creation of more polders, including the Noordoostpolder, connected the village to the mainland. For a community that had been used to living at sea for centuries, this was a huge revolution that changed their environment, their way of working and their contact with the rest of the Netherlands.
The heritage of a fishing community
Fishing was for centuries the mainstay of the livelihood of the people of Urk. Ships left the harbour to fish in the North Sea, often putting the crews in mortal danger. Today, memorials commemorating the fishermen who never returned from the sea remind us of this history. In the 20th century, Urk found itself in a completely new economic position after the surrounding land was drained. The existing fishermen faced a re-branding, and the state authorities gave the municipality financial support to compensate for the losses. Despite significant changes, Urk retained its administrative independence and a strong sense of community.
Urk’s new role in the new world
Today, Urk has a population of around 20,000 and continues to stand out among the surrounding towns. Despite the fact that the town’s economy is no longer based solely on fishing, this sector remains important alongside the growing role of tourism and local services. The picturesque harbour, narrow streets and historic fishermen’s houses attract visitors, while folklore events remind visitors of the town’s maritime past. The former island is also known for its strong religious traditions. Situated in the so-called Dutch ‘bible belt’, it has an unusually high number of churches and Sundays are a day of rest, which sets it apart from many other places in the heavily secularised country.
A city with a maritime soul
Urk has no longer been an island for almost a century, but its spirit still hovers over the city. The inhabitants have preserved their own dialect, cherish ancient customs and pass on legends, such as the tale of the Ommelebommelestien rock, from which – according to tradition – all Urkers originate. Modern Urk is a living example of a community that has managed to preserve its identity while adapting to a changing world.
Source: urk.pages.dev, notesfromcamelidcountry.net
Also read: Curiosities | Urbanism | Metamorphosis | City | History | Netherlands
The island circa 1930 and the city today. Photo: Netherlands Institute for Military History and Google Earth
Aerial photo of Urk before the works began and Urk today. Photo: urkeruitgaven.nl and Google Earth
Early 1930s and 2023. photo visitflevoland.nl and Google Earth
