Old lock complex of Wemeldinge - Wemeldinge

The village of Wemeldinge lies on the Zuid-Beveland canal. This 11-kilometre canal between Hansweert and Wemeldinge was completed in 1866 to give Belgium free navigation to the Rhine. On both sides were large lock complexes. Some villagers saw a gap in the market and started using boats, mopeds or bicycles to supply the waiting boatmen with all kinds of foodstuffs. It turned out to be a golden move. In the years that followed, a completely new industry emerged in Wemeldinge and Hansweert, the so-called Parlevinkers.

Unfortunately for the Parlevinkers, the Scheldt-Rhine Canal was opened in 1975. As a result, fewer ships passed through the Zuid-Beveland Canal. When the canal was moved at the end of the 20th century and the locks were also no longer needed, the profession died out here.

This is the entrance to the old Wemeldinge lock complex, seen from Hansweert. On the Oosterschelde side, it was decided to cleverly reuse the old locks as a marina.