Holiday apartment in Schoondijke amid art and milling history

Holiday apartment in Schoondijke amid art and milling history

Schoondijke and its surroundings still clearly retain an agricultural character, even though agriculture is becoming less important. This combination of local history, art and farming traditions makes the village interesting for travellers looking for more than just a place to spend the night during their holiday. When choosing a holiday apartment in Schoondijke, you can therefore consider whether your itinerary focuses on culture, sculptures, milling history or active exploration.

Local history and remembrance

The history of Schoondijke goes back a long way: the village already existed in 1248 under the former name Vuyldijke. The Schoondijke war memorial commemorates the more recent past. It commemorates all fellow citizens who lost their lives during the occupation years as a result of acts of war. On 23 October 2010, a natural stone plaque bearing the names of 33 residents who lost their lives was added to the war memorial. In this way, local history is connected with a specific place of remembrance.

Art related to agriculture

Several works reflect Schoondijke’s agricultural character. “De Zaaier” is a work of art by sculptor Philip ten Klooster, installed in 1965 in the centre of Schoondijke, and symbolises the village’s agricultural tradition. On the renovated Dorpsplein stands “Landarbeiders” by Jan Haas, a tribute to workers employed in agriculture. The work of art “Het Paard” also stands on Lange Heerenstraat. It symbolises the village’s close connection with agriculture and is a tribute to the Zeeuwse trekpaard.

The Landbouw Wandeling

The Landbouw Wandeling leads to six different sculptures in Schoondijke. For travellers who like to get to know a place through its visible signs and stories, the route provides a clear thematic framework. The six stops can serve as an opportunity to connect the works of art with the village’s agricultural history. This can also provide helpful guidance when planning a varied day.

Hulsters Molen and freshly milled flour

Hulsters Molen is a round stone grain mill in Schoondijke, Zeeland, originally built in 1884 by Belgian mill builder P. Willems. After a fire had left only the mill body standing, the mill was restored in 1900. Among other things, an upper wheel from a post mill in Bruges and a spruit from a mill in Cadzand were used for this purpose. Today, grain is milled by volunteers at Hulsters Molen; freshly milled flour is available at the mill. This connects the history of milling with a tangible regional product.

Het Klinket Agricultural Museum

Het Klinket Agricultural Museum displays an extensive collection of old agricultural machines, as well as changing exhibitions and new exhibits. Het Klinket also offers farmer’s golf and football golf. In this way, the site combines historical insights with activities that can be incorporated into different holiday itineraries. Together with the sculptures and the mill, this creates a varied picture of Schoondijke: here, agriculture appears as a defining theme in the history, art and experience of the present day.

More places to discover: Aardenburg, Breskens, Nieuwvliet, Zuidzande, Ijzendijke, Cadzand-Bad, Eede, Cadzand

For the overarching travel overview: Sluis.