The Westfriese Omringdijk (West-Frisian Circular Dyke) is a dyke system that protected the region of
Westflinge, part of the historical region of
West-Frisia.
Westflinge is now commonly referred to as
West-Frisia as the rest of historical
West-Frisia assimilated with
The Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
.
The cultivation of
peat bogs and
moors as of 1000 BC led to
subsidence
Subsidence is a general term for downward vertical movement of the Earth's surface, which can be caused by both natural processes and human activities. Subsidence involves little or no horizontal movement, which distinguishes it from slope mov ...
, which necessitated the building of
dykes. The Westfriese Omringdijk was formed by connecting a large number of smaller dykes. This was completed by 1250 AD, just in time for the area to be spared annihilation in the
St. Lucia's flood
North Holland, 1st-10th century
St. Lucia's flood (Sint-Luciavloed) was a storm tide that affected the Netherlands and Northern Germany on 13/14 December 1287 ( OS), St. Lucia Day and the day after, killing approximately 50,000 to 80,000 peo ...
of 1287. The total dyke length is about 126 km, protecting an area of about 800 km
2. It connects the cities of
Enkhuizen,
Hoorn
Hoorn () is a city and municipality in the northwest of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is the largest town and the traditional capital of the region of West Friesland. Hoorn is located on the Markermeer, 20 kilometers ...
,
Alkmaar
Alkmaar () is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland, about 30 km north of Amsterdam. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination. The ...
,
Schagen
Schagen () is a city and municipality in the northwestern Netherlands. It is located between Alkmaar and Den Helder, in the region of West Friesland and the province of North Holland. It received city rights in 1415. In 2013, Schagen merged wit ...
,
Medemblik
Medemblik () is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia. It lies immediately south of the polder and former municipality of Wieringermeer.
History
Medemblik was a prosperous ...
and then back to
Enkhuizen.
Sources
Westfriese OmringDaik Sait*http://watercanon.nederlandleeftmetwater.nl/view/canon/dykeconstruction
{{coord missing, Netherlands
Coastal construction
West Frisia
Dikes in the Netherlands
13th-century establishments in Europe