Before Zwaanshoek even had a name it was simply known as Bennebroekerbuurt. That means neighborhood of Bennebroek. Can you imagine a place without a proper name? Zwaanshoek a village in the Dutch province of North Holland has a charming story. It’s all about swans.
Its current name Zwaanshoek translates to swan corner. This reflects the abundance of wild swans that once graced this area. The Haarlemmermeer lake which means lake of Haarlem used to be here. This lake was later reclaimed creating the Haarlemmermeerpolder. Zwaanshoek grew up on the edge of this polder.
Initially Zwaanshoek was a small collection of buildings along a dyke. Think of a simple line of houses bordering a vast expanse of water. But that all changed. In the 1970s and 80s new buildings sprang up. New streets were laid out on farmer van Leeuwen’s land. Zwaanshoek transformed from a modest settlement to a thriving village.
The village’s growth wasn’t just about buildings. A new school de Zwanebloem opened its doors to young learners. It replaced school 8 the eighth school in Haarlemmermeer. School 8 still exists though. It’s now a community center called de Oase the oasis. Bridgeclub Zwaanshoek meets there among other activities. A new cemetery Meerterpen also opened in 2003 serving the entire Haarlemmermeer municipality. Its location was strategic. The expanding Schiphol airport made it impossible to continue burying people in Hoofddorp’s northern graveyard.
Sports also have a prominent place in Zwaanshoek. The tennis club established in 1976 is a central part of the community. Another significant figure was Jan van Dooyeweerd. This horsetrainer a national champion with an impressive 2251 competition wins had his company on Spieringweg. His son Jan van Dooyeweerd junior continues his legacy.
Incredibly Zwaanshoek holds another title. It was officially declared the smartest village in the Netherlands. An impressive 23% of its young population aged 18 to 27 attended university. No other village or city can boast a higher rate. So next time you are in Haarlemmermeer take the time to explore this unique and intellectually vibrant village. This is Zwaanshoek a place where history swans and academic excellence all come together.