Sunset in Broek in Waterland by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Sunset in Broek in Waterland"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

Broek in Waterland is a village in the municipality of Waterland, north of Amsterdam. The village has a protected villagescape. The place has dozens of national monuments.

The oldest mention is 1342 as Broeck and 1420 as Broec in Waterland. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was a flourishing trading place due to grain imports from the Baltic, herring fishing and whaling. During the Eighty Years' War, Broek was attacked by the Spaniards in 1573, during which the inhabitants were mistreated and the village was looted and set on fire. After the battle on the Zuiderzee in 1573, trade recovered and the village was rebuilt.

The village grew in the 17th century to become a retirement village for wealthy Amsterdammers. Merchants and shipowners also lived in the stately wooden buildings, often painted in a shade of gray known as "Broekergrijs," and adorned with a door calf. The houses had a ceremonial front door. This was used at weddings and funerals.

The village was known for its beauty in the 18th century. Emperor Joseph II visited in 1781, but was not let in because the farmer's wife did not have time. Napoleon also visited the village in 1811 and enjoyed the pagoda-like gazebo. After the French era, prosperity declined and the income came mainly from dairy farming. The village was designated a protected village sight in 1971 and then became popular (again) with wealthy Amsterdammers.

From 1888 to 1956, the village had a streetcar connection with Amsterdam-North and Volendam. The Waterland streetcar also had a stop Broek in Waterland, the former station building still exists.