Marken, the Netherlands - travel experience, post, guide, blog and photos

Netherlands: Amsterdam, Delft, Edam, Haarlem, Madurodam, Marken, The Hague, Volendam, Zaanse Schans

Marken, the Netherlands: Happiness on stilts
by Prakash Bang, Editor in Chief

The village of Marken was separated from the mainland after a storm surge in the 13th century. With years and years of isolation the community made their money with fishing. These days, tourism is a major source of income.

Marken is a 40-minute boat ride from Volendam. The one-way ticket was EUR5.50. Boats ferry tourists at regular intervals. Being summer time, the crowds were to the brim. One can buy a return journey, but I decided to take the bus from Marken to Amsterdam Centraal. Thanks to the dike, which was constructed in 1957, the island now stands connected to the mainland.

For the next one hour the only agenda on hand was to discover the laid-back village. Wandering aimlessly I walked through the lanes, alleys and along the canals. The typical houses and the traditional costumes are reminiscent of the past. In the old days, the island was flooded quite regularly. For this reason, houses were built on stilts and on mounds.

The church in centre of the town was a major draw. I was quite intrigued by the sundial fitted on one of the walls. The time the sun-dial showed matched well with the modern clock on the church tower.

That was it. By early evening I was in Amsterdam.

Marken Image Gallery Photo viewer