Krimpen aan den IJssel, Ouderkerk aan den IJssel, Lekkerkerk

The first documents from Ouderkerk aan den IJssel date from 1263, but it is very likely that the village is even older. The village was probably called IJsele before that time, and so there is no documentation of the village with its current name. The presumption that people lived here before that time is based on the discovery of the remains of a tuff church. In addition, old Roman coins from the beginning of our era have been found in this area.

The cycle route continues past Krimpen aan den IJssel. According to documentation, this village dates from around the same time as Ouderkerk aan den IJssel. The North Sea flood of 1953 showed just how dangerous the tides were for the village. The open connection between the North Sea and the IJssel river gave the sea water free reign. For this reason, construction of the Hollandse IJssel storm surge barrier began in 1954, the first of the Delta Works. It was completed in 1958, as was the Algerabrug bridge. This bridge now connects the Krimpenerwaard and Zuid-Holland provinces above the IJssel.

You are now driving in the direction of the Lek. Here you will find the oldest village (dating from 1064) of the Krimpenerwaard: Krimpen aan de Lek. In old Dutch this literally means ‘crossing place on the Lek’. A strategically located village between several rivers, which has caused it to experience many battles over the years. The location was not only of strategic importance: the population obtained a large part of their food ‘from the water’. For example, in the 18th century, whales were fished from Rederij Van Holst and many inhabitants lived from river fishing. Livestock farming, trade and shipbuilding were also important sources of income.

This river route will immerse you in the history of the Krimpenerwaard and the surrounding rivers, and you will see that water is both an indispensable and a threatening part of life. From the founding of these villages some 1000 years ago, up to the present day.