Once upon a time nestled on the former island of Marken stood Rozewerf. A small hamlet it was. But what a history it holds.
Rozewerf is more than just a collection of houses. It’s a living testament to Marken’s past. It’s one of the buurtschappen that make up the former island’s community. Think of it as a tiny village within a village.
Originally a terp a kind of artificial hill Rozewerf was called a werf. This doesn’t refer to a shipyard as you might think. The name likely comes from the Roos or Rozen family. They were probably the original owners or builders. Most of the homes date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They’ve been extensively renovated over time of course.
What makes Rozewerf special? Its unique character. It and Grotewerf have retained their original appearance more than other werven. You can still see those characteristic monumental buildings. The houses are clustered closely together. There’s only a narrow passageway through the hamlet.
Rozewerf sits right next to the dike. This protects it from the waters of the Markermeer. It wasn’t always like this. A portion of the island was swallowed by the sea. This happened over many years. Several werven were lost including Kloosterwerf. This lay somewhere between Rozewerf and Moeniswerf.
The Zereiderpad connected Rozewerf to Grotewerf. It was possibly an old route between Monnikenwerf and Kloosterwerf. Monnikenwerf is now part of Kerkbuurt. These two werven were the original terps built by monks in the 13th century. The southern inhabited werven only later became connected.
The area around Rozewerf was often flooded. This happened a few times a year after it became exposed to the sea. A low dike was eventually built. It mostly prevented flooding except during large storms. The construction of the Afsluitdijk put an end to that. Now the main problem is the ice. Icebreakers are stationed just outside the dike in the Markermeer.
Rozewerf is a small place. Its history is full of drama. It is a place of resilience. A place that has adapted to the changing seas. A place that remains a fascinating glimpse into Marken’s past. It’s truly a hidden gem of Amsterdam. And it deserves your attention.