Starnmeer

How many secrets does Starnmeer hold beneath its tranquil surface? Starnmeer isn’t just a picturesque village in Alkmaar, North Holland. It’s a testament to human ingenuity, a droogmakerij, reclaimed from the waters that once dominated the landscape. Imagine the scene in 1643. Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater, the master of water management, stands triumphantly as the last of the water drains away, revealing the fertile land of the Starnmeerpolder. This roughly 580-hectare polder, the 12th largest of approximately 72 droogmakerijen, became a haven for farmers. Before it was Starnmeer, it was a watery expanse, connected to Beemster, Schermer, and Alkmaardermeer, even the Zaan. Its star-like shape, likely the source of its name (from variations like Starmeer or Stermeer), was a vital route for fishermen and traders traveling to Graft-De Rijp. But the village of De Rijp needed income. They saw the Starnmeer’s potential and, joining forces with Alkmaar, sought to drain it. Alkmaar, ever shrewd, demanded ring canals to safeguard their shipping routes, causing delays and soaring costs. De Rijp ultimately abandoned the project, only for a determined group of entrepreneurs to step in. The Starnmeerpolder became a reality, but at a steep price of 75,000 guilders. The returns were initially meager. Disease plagued the cattle, impacting both farmers and landowners. Over time, the land transitioned from primarily Amsterdam ownership to the residents themselves. Starnmeer has grown from a cluster of houses along the Starmeerdijk to include the larger settlement of Spijkerboor. Today, Starnmeer encompasses the entire polder outside of Spijkerboor and much of the Kogerpolder. Even remnants of Fort bij Marken-Binnen, built in the early 20th century as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, whisper stories of wartime defenses. Starnmeer’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and community, a village born from ambition and shaped by the very waters it conquered.