Could a tranquil lake hold the echoes of a raging storm? Here at Schellingwouderbreek, it does. This seemingly peaceful body of water in Amsterdam-Noord whispers tales of a tumultuous past. Schellingwouderbreek is more than just a lake. It’s a “breek,” a breach in the dike formed during the All Saints’ Flood of 1570. Imagine the chaos as the Noorder IJ- and Zeedijk crumbled under the force of the storm, right here at Schellingwouderbreek. The raging waters carved this lake into existence, forever changing the landscape. Financial constraints prevented the area from being drained, leaving Schellingwouderbreek as a permanent reminder of nature’s power. Until 1921, Schellingwouderbreek lay within the municipality of Ransdorp, before being annexed by Amsterdam. In the 1960s, the expanding city enveloped the lake, nestled between the Tuindorp Nieuwendam and Waterlandpleinbuurt neighborhoods. The surrounding Schellingwouderbreekpark, established around the same time, replaced former farmlands. The park’s development reshaped the lake’s edges, transforming Schellingwouderbreek into the tranquil pond we see today. The lake connects to the Ringsloot canal encircling Nieuwendam. Two small islands grace the northern part of Schellingwouderbreek, linked by a path to each other and the mainland. Two peninsulas extend into the water on the western side. The grassy banks serve as a haven for various water birds. In 2010, Schellingwouderbreekpark merged with the newly established Schellingwouderpark, south of Schellingwouderdijk, creating a larger green space. A plaque erected in 2020 by the ‘Friends of Schellingwouderbreekpark’ commemorates the lake’s dramatic origin. Schellingwouderbreek, a testament to a stormy past, now offers a quiet retreat, a place where nature and history intertwine.
Schellingwouderbreek
Discover cities like never before.
Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.
More Places in Amsterdam
RK Begraafplaats Overtuin
Tranquility surrounds you. You stand before RK Begraafplaats Buitenveldert. This isn’t just any cemetery. It’s a place steeped in history.
Boterhuisbrug
Slipping through time, let’s journey back to a small fishing village nestled beside the Amstel River. Imagine Amsterdam in the
Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg
How did a modest hunting lodge become a five-star hotel? Welcome to Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg a place where history
Spoorbrug HIJSM
Slipping through time, let’s find ourselves in 1837 Amsterdam. Excitement crackled in the air. The Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HIJSM), the
de Bibliotheek Hillegom
Have you ever felt the quiet hum of turning pages? Right here before you stands de Bibliotheek Hillegom. This unassuming
Cornelis Ritterbrug
How many stories could this humpbacked bridge tell? The Cornelis Ritterbrug stands before us a testament to Amsterdam’s intricate network