Vrouwenpolder
At the foot of the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier is the dike village of Vrouwenpolder. It is situated between the North Sea and the Veerse Meer and borders on the Oranjezon nature park. It is located on the main road N57, making it a great base for visiting Domburg, Middelburg or port city Vlissingen. Or a day of shopping in Rotterdam.
The village at the tip of Walcheren originated around 1300 in an area that had just been reclaimed. It got its name from a mysterious painting of Mary; this madonna was called Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe van de Polder (Our Lady of the Polder). The village has long played a major role as a place of pilgrimage because of miracles that took place there.
In 1588, Fort Den Haak was built to cover the entrance to the Veerse Gat. The fort was destroyed in 1809, only an empty plain remains.
In the 14th century, a chapel was elevated to the parish church of the village of Niepolre. The church was dedicated to Mary, after whom the village was later named. The church was damaged during the Eighty Years’ War. The church was then rebuilt with remnants of the old walls.
Vrouwenpolder has developed as a real tourist village. Water sports enthusiasts, bathers, but also the Zeelanders themselves like to stay on the wide beaches near the village. Kite flyers and kite surfers have their own hotspot there. Vrouwenpolder also has some great diving locations. A range of active programmes are also offered from the wide sandy beach, with kitesurfing and SUP taking centre stage.
The village of Vrouwenpolder has a supermarket, bakery, bicycle repair shop, nice tourist shops and several restaurants.
Between the village and the Oosterscheldekering, you will find Deltapark Neeltje Jans. The amusement park shows everything about the Delta Works, among other things. You can also experience for yourself the wind force the Zeelanders felt during the 1953 flood disaster. Or splash around in the water playground or Aquasplash.
Fish farm Neeltje Jans is also located nearby. Here, hanging and bottom-farmed mussels are grown. The Schot family opened ‘Proef Zeeland’ there, where you can taste the mussels right away.
Between Oostkapelle and Vrouwenpolder lies the 400-hectare dune area Oranjezon. This nature area once served as a water catchment area, for the drinking water supply on Walcheren.
Vrouwenpolder lies on the edge of the Veerse Meer. The place for water sports enthusiasts, but also the place to sit on a terrace. Here you eat fish and shellfish straight from the sea.
In the summer months, there is a tourist market every Wednesday in the centre of Vrouwenpolder. The season is always traditionally kicked off with the Vrouwenpolder Days. Three days with music, market and party every evening in the big tent on the village. Look for these and other events in the events calendar.