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| Exploring The Beauty of Giethoorn, A Village with Enchanting Canals |
Giethoorn is a beautiful village with traditional houses in the Netherlands, known as The Venice of The North or The Venice of The Netherlands. It earned this nickname because the village environment resembles Venice, albeit on a much smaller scale. Giethoorn is a small, tranquil, clean, and pollution-free village.
Location And Size of Giethoorn
Giethoorn is located in the Steenwijkerland region, Overijssel province, in the eastern part of the Netherlands. This small village covers an area of 38.47 km² and is situated amidst the Weerriben Wieden National Park. Giethoorn is a water village located in a peat bog area, with numerous canals, lakes, bridges, and very few roads. Most areas of Giethoorn can only be accessed by walking, biking, or using boats.
Narrow Streets in The Village Center And Free Parking
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| Small street in Giethoorn |
Many say that Giethoorn has no roads at all. While this is not entirely true, the roads accessible to cars are mainly located on the outskirts of the village. In the central part of the village, there are narrow paths along the canals for bicycles and pedestrians to navigate. The narrow path, known as Binnenpad, runs along the canal. Cars that cannot enter the village need to park on the outskirts where there are plenty of parking spaces, typically free of charge.
Small Islands And Wooden Bridges
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| The houses in Giethoorn stand on small islands |
Giethoorn consists of numerous small plots of land or islands separated by shallow canals with depths ranging from 60 cm to 1 m. These canals vary in width, with some wide enough for large boats to pass through, while others are so narrow that caution must be exercised when navigating them. It is on these small islands that the residents' houses stand. Around 176 wooden bridges are built to connect these small islands across the canals.
Tranquil And Pollution-Free Living
The village center is a clean, quiet, and pollution-free area. There are no cars or other motor vehicles here. The primary mode of transportation in this village is through waterways, using boats to navigate the narrow canals that stretch for 4 miles (6.4 km). The residents of Giethoorn typically use unique motorboats equipped with small engines that produce a silent sound, known as Whisper Boats.
Early History of Giethoorn
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| Giethoorn, a small village similar to Venice |
Giethoorn was founded in the 12th century by a group of refugees seeking shelter from wars and religious persecution prevalent in the region at that time. The name of the village, which means "goat horns" in Dutch, refers to the goat horns supposedly found in the area during its early days. Over the centuries, Giethoorn evolved into a peaceful and beautiful community known for its unique waterways and traditional thatched-roof houses.
Enjoying The Charm of Giethoorn by Bike or on Foot
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| The beauty of Giethoorn can be enjoyed on foot |
While strolling along the narrow pathways of Giethoorn, whether on a bike or on foot, one cannot help but be mesmerized by the beauty surrounding them. Lush green trees, unique traditional houses, colorful flowers, and glistening waters create a perfect postcard-like setting that captivates anyone. The chirping of birds and the gentle breeze blowing through the trees further enhance the enchanting allure of this beautiful village.
Exploring The Beauty of Giethoorn by Boat
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| Giethoorn |
The best way to experience the beauty of Giethoorn is by navigating its canals by boat. Visitors can rent rowboats, electric boats, or canoes to explore the village. Boating offers a glimpse of beautiful traditional houses, charming flower gardens, and artistic wooden bridges.
Enchanting Traditional Houses of Giethoorn
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| Traditional houses in Giethoorn |
One of Giethoorn's main attractions is its enchanting traditional houses. Built with wood and distinctive thatched roofs, these houses are often centuries old. Each house is surrounded by beautifully maintained flower gardens that add to the village's charm and beauty. Well-manicured green lawns and colorful flowers like tulips, roses, and orchids adorn every corner of the garden, creating stunning and captivating views.
Shopping And Culinary Tourism in Giethoorn
Along the canals, there are small shops selling various items, from typical Dutch souvenirs to local products like cheese, jam, bread, and handicrafts. Giethoorn also offers a variety of cafes and restaurants along the canal banks. Tourists can enjoy a range of traditional Dutch dishes as well as international cuisine while admiring the beauty of Giethoorn. There are various types of dishes available, from fresh seafood to meat-based dishes and vegetarian meals. One dish not to be missed is the Appletaart, a traditional Dutch apple pie served with whipped cream.
Accommodation Options in Giethoorn
For tourists looking to stay overnight, Giethoorn offers a range of hotel options, both in the center of the village and on the outskirts. Some hotels are situated along the canal, providing stunning views directly from the hotel rooms. There are also traditionally themed hotels that offer a typical Dutch countryside home atmosphere.
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