See Ilpendam & Watergang
Two of the smallest villages in Waterland, once a meeting place for the men portrayed in Rembrandt's Night Watch, and, surprisingly, home to a Gerrit Rietveld villa. This walk pairs quiet waterside history with a touch of modern art.
Ilpendam and Watergang are two of the smallest villages in Waterland, full of surprises. Here are three highlights to look out for as you explore.
1 The church in Watergang
Before you stands the Reformed Church of Watergang, built in the seventeenth century with a Gothic design. Inside you'll find a unique object: a small ship, donated by a sailor as thanks after the villagers rescued him when he was captured by pirates. Although Watergang doesn't sit by a large body of water, it was easily reached via the river, and in times of crisis the church served as a safe haven during severe floods, in World War II it was even used for storage and shelter. From here we continue along the narrowest village street in Waterland.
2 Castle Ilpenstein
At first glance this may look like an abandoned meadow, you'll need your imagination. A small castle once stood here, a chic manor house built at the behest of the mayor of Amsterdam. Its most famous resident was Frans Banninck Cocq, one of the militiamen Rembrandt painted in The Night Watch. Other important figures visited too, including the statesman and mathematician Johan de Witt, who came for a wedding held here.
3 The Rietveld villa
Amid all the historic buildings you suddenly find something entirely different: a genuine Gerrit Rietveld villa. The Van den Doel house is a masterpiece of clean lines and contrasting colours. Look at the exterior walls of glazed brick, Rietveld gave each block its own colour to emphasise the different volumes of the house. A piece of world-famous architecture from the late 1950s, right here in Ilpendam.
These are just three of the eleven stops on this walk. Download the free app for the full Ilpendam and Watergang tour, with an audio story that plays automatically as you reach each one.
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