Giethoorn

"Venice of the North" has not only a unique landscape, but also a distinctive history. The settlement of Giethoorn was founded in 1230 on the site of peat extraction, for which this marshland was famous. The hard work of the workers resulted in numerous pits, which were subsequently connected into canals to facilitate the export of the extracted raw materials.
Since that time, the small village has grown and today a little more than 2,600 people live here. The neat houses are located on small islands, which are connected by wooden bridges thrown over the canals. The caring people of Giethoorn strive to maintain the distinctive spirit of the 18th century Dutch community. All the exteriors of the houses have been preserved from those times and are a vivid example of ancient village architecture. Only in some parts of the village have bicycle paths recently appeared. This is perhaps the only innovation that has appeared in the village over the past 50 years.