Etersheim, Rural hamlet in Edam-Volendam, Netherlands.
Etersheim is a small settlement of approximately 25 houses scattered across the flat agricultural landscape two kilometers northeast of Oosthuizen. The buildings are spread informally across the open terrain, creating a dispersed rural character rather than a compact village center.
An original village called Eitersem was founded in 1277 but was submerged by the former Zuiderzee waters. The community was rebuilt behind the dike and has remained in this location ever since.
The settlement reflects farming traditions rooted in North Holland's rural identity, where residents continue working the land as their ancestors did. This agricultural way of life remains visible in how the landscape is organized and maintained.
A car is the best way to reach this hamlet, as bus services are infrequent and walking distances to nearby towns are considerable. Having a vehicle allows you to explore the surrounding villages and landscape more freely.
The village church built in 1730 was briefly used as a Church of Satan in 1975, an unusual chapter in its long existence. This unexpected transformation makes it a curious footnote in religious architecture history.
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