The village Giethoorn, in the
Netherlands, is famous for its most unique feature — you won’t find any cars or
buses, or indeed any kind of modern transportation here at all. This idyllic
small town, once known as the ’Venice of the Netherlands’, has no roads, only
canals. Thus travelling by boat is the main way to get around the village and
the surrounding rustic area, with its unique atmosphere of silence, relaxation
and comfort. Filled with peace, Giethoorn lives its own unhurried life.
Netherlands, is famous for its most unique feature — you won’t find any cars or
buses, or indeed any kind of modern transportation here at all. This idyllic
small town, once known as the ’Venice of the Netherlands’, has no roads, only
canals. Thus travelling by boat is the main way to get around the village and
the surrounding rustic area, with its unique atmosphere of silence, relaxation
and comfort. Filled with peace, Giethoorn lives its own unhurried life.
We here at Bright Side really
like the idea of spending some time in this place. Just imagine what life would
be like there: every day you arrive home by boat, moor it and enjoy the
stunning view from the comfort of your living room. Silence. Beauty. Peace.
Really, what else do you need?
like the idea of spending some time in this place. Just imagine what life would
be like there: every day you arrive home by boat, moor it and enjoy the
stunning view from the comfort of your living room. Silence. Beauty. Peace.
Really, what else do you need?
The village was founded in
1230 by a group of refugees from the south, who come across the area in search
of a new settlement. When they first arrived here, they were amazed by the huge
number of goat horns that were left over after a big flood. That is why the
place was named Giethoorn, which means ’the horn of goats.’
1230 by a group of refugees from the south, who come across the area in search
of a new settlement. When they first arrived here, they were amazed by the huge
number of goat horns that were left over after a big flood. That is why the
place was named Giethoorn, which means ’the horn of goats.’
Over the years, the
inhabitants found numerous peat deposits. Pleased with their discovery, the
settlers dug for peat in the areas that suited them the most, and consequently
left holes in the ground. As time passed, these holes turned into lakes, and
then into the chain of canals we see today, which have helped make the village
a major tourist attraction.
inhabitants found numerous peat deposits. Pleased with their discovery, the
settlers dug for peat in the areas that suited them the most, and consequently
left holes in the ground. As time passed, these holes turned into lakes, and
then into the chain of canals we see today, which have helped make the village
a major tourist attraction.
Most houses in the village are
located on islands, connected by 50 wooden bridges.
located on islands, connected by 50 wooden bridges.
With plenty of reeds available
in this marshy area, almost all the houses have thatched roofs. In earlier
times, only rich people could afford tiled roofs. Today, the exact opposite is
true — a thatched roof is more expensive.
in this marshy area, almost all the houses have thatched roofs. In earlier
times, only rich people could afford tiled roofs. Today, the exact opposite is
true — a thatched roof is more expensive.
The village became famous in
the 1960s thanks to the Dutch director Bert Haanstra, who used it as a location
in one of his movies.
the 1960s thanks to the Dutch director Bert Haanstra, who used it as a location
in one of his movies.
All-purpose boats, inflatable
boats, small boats for rent — all of these are common ways to navigate and get
around the village. And here’s another interesting detail: only electric motors
are used in boats here — no diesel engines are allowed.
boats, small boats for rent — all of these are common ways to navigate and get
around the village. And here’s another interesting detail: only electric motors
are used in boats here — no diesel engines are allowed.
SOURCE:
BRIGHTSIDE
BRIGHTSIDE
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.