Ouwerkerk: Museums, Exhibitions & Discounts

Ouwerkerk is a small village located in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Zeeland. This quaint settlement is situated on the former island of Duiveland, which is now part of the larger island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Ouwerkerk has a rich history deeply intertwined with the Dutch struggle against the sea, as it was significantly affected by the North Sea flood of 1953. Today, the village serves as a reminder of this historical event and the resilience of the Dutch people.

The cultural landscape of Ouwerkerk is characterized by its rural charm and the omnipresent influence of water management. The village is home to the Watersnoodmuseum (Flood Museum), which commemorates the 1953 disaster and educates visitors about water management in the Netherlands. This museum, housed in four large caissons used to close the final breach in the dikes after the flood, offers a unique insight into Dutch water engineering and the cultural impact of living in a land below sea level.

Ouwerkerk's surroundings feature typical Zeeland scenery, with expansive polders, dikes, and the occasional windmill dotting the landscape. The village and its environs provide opportunities for cycling and walking, allowing visitors to experience the peaceful countryside and the ever-present relationship between land and sea that defines this region of the Netherlands.