Catch the pits in the Netherlands

When passing through the Netherlands on the A20 motorway, let's slow down for a moment (preferably the longer one) halfway between Gouda and Rotterdam. The lowest point of the country is located here, and the entire region delights with the beauty of polders.

If you consider that "to get down" means "to get depressed," it will be both a metaphorical and a literal explanation. Depression is the area below sea level, which is somewhat below sea level. In a Dutch town we can find both this depressive pit and the desired one - by golf enthusiasts.

Lowest point in the Netherlands

Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel is a small but attractive village in the municipality of Zuidplas, in the province of South Holland. It is situated between Rotterdam (less than 12 km away) and Gouda. It is well connected with both centers - the A20 motorway runs through its center, connecting the cities, and also has a small railway station from which you can get to them. And what can we find in Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel itself? First of all, the lowest point in the Netherlands. It is only ten centimeters away from being considered a place of hell.

The lowest point in the country of windmills lies at a depth of 676 cm below the NAP , i.e. below the level of the North Sea. It is located in the Zuidplaspolder polder, near the village. Let us remind you that the polder is a flat, depressed area, adequately protected against flooding and systematically subjected to drying. It extends over the area where the Zudiplas Lake previously was, drained for access to peat deposits. At the lowest point, a monument in the shape of a large thermometer was placed.

Since the area is entirely made up of areas taken away from the sea, its safety is guarded by a complex system of sensors in the drainage channels, and water pumping stations work around the clock.

Things to do Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel

Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel is famous for its lowest point, but it is not the only attraction of the village. It is undoubtedly the Golfbaan Hitland , an 18-hole polder with lots of water traps. Since 2003, it enjoys the status of Nederlandse Golf Federatie (NGF). Golf enthusiasts come here from all over the country (and not only), tempted by the high quality of services and beautiful landscapes.

There is a campsite in Hitland, while the Van der Valk Hotel is located in Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel itself.

The surrounding areas are famous for their beauty. There are nature reserves around, where you can observe various - including rare - species of fauna and flora. There are especially many birds here, which is why polders are popular with ornithology fans (professionals and amateurs hunting with a camera). The beauty of the landscapes also attracts hikers and cyclists. Besides, sooner or later every tourist will visit the marina .

Elemental anger

Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel may be small, but it has several historic buildings, which will certainly be of interest to those who like to visit this type of attractions. There is a late-gothic church, probably built at the beginning of the 16th century, and by the s-Gravenweg road there are old farm buildings, which are part of the national museum.

During the tour, we will see many interesting places. While walking by the river bank, let's stop for a moment at the statue of a man leaning over the boat. It is a sculpture commemorating the flood that hit the Netherlands in 1953 as a result of a northwestern storm that pushed the North Sea water masses into the lowlands of the country. It clearly reminds you of how powerful the element is when it claims its own property.