There’s a village in Netherlands with no streets, only canals
This may come as a surprised to you but do you know that there’s a village in the Netherlands (Holland) with no streets, but canals only? Yes, this is good to be true. You can read more and discover this interesting place here. See details below.
The name of that village is GIETHOORN. It is located in the Werribben-Wieden National Park. It is an idyllic village in Overijssel where countless thatched farms have been built on small peat island connected by over 170 small wooden bridges.
You may try visiting this place but know you will always be ferried though the canal for there is no street here (invariably no road here to walk!).
The village name, Giethoorn originates from the first inhabitants’ discovery of hundreds of goat horns (gietehorens) in the marshland, remnants of the 19th century flood. However, no goat horns will be found here but the vegetation is quite distinct still. Here you will find yourself on the edge of vast series of lakes and canals, ideal for row-boating, angling and paddle-cycling.
Here in Giethoorn, the streets are the canals! You can even turn down a ‘side street’ (another small canal) and drift under a wooden bridge where an elderly resident may be strolling over to see a neighbor. You may even think you are in Venice or Amsterdam, but no it is the Giethoorn village in Netherlands!
SEE ALSO: The Ancient Secrets of the Bermuda Traingle
This village was established as a settlement of peat harvesters. Peat cutting created ponds and lakes, and people built houses on the islands between them. As a result of this, access was only possible by bridge or using traditional Giethoorn boats, so called punters-narrow boats pushed along using a long pole by a punteraar.
Nothing has changed here in the village. The canal is still much here and no road here in the village. Accommodation in Giethoorn is an experience in itself. Like the houses, each hotel fits in the picturesque village, surrounded by green spaces and off course beautiful canals.
Lastly, do you plan to see this place I just told you about? Then know that the best way to explore Giethoorn and the myriad of canals is obviously by joining a canal cruise. Local skippers will be able to guide you through the place and show you the most important places in this quiet village.
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