Mandjeswaard, Polder and nature reserve in Kampen, Netherlands.
Mandjeswaard is a polder and nature reserve east of Kampereiland, bordered by the Ganzendiep and Goot rivers and the Zwarte Meer. The roughly 600-hectare area consists of flat meadows, water channels, and shorelines that attract migrating waterfowl and wetland birds.
First mentioned in records from 1432, the area was originally an island in the former Zuiderzee. It gradually transformed into a polder through drainage and land reclamation over the following centuries.
The polder demonstrates how water shapes daily life here through ditches and embankments that protect the land while supporting wildlife habitats. Walking through it reveals traditional Dutch approaches to living with water rather than against it.
The polder can be reached via a bridge over the Goot near Lutterzijl and the H.C. Kleemanspontje self-service ferry crossing Ganzendiep. Wear appropriate footwear for potentially wet ground, especially during or after rainy periods, as pathways can become muddy.
An obelisk stands along the Goot commemorating Baron van Haersolte van Haerst, who contributed to land reclamation efforts here. This quiet monument tells the story of someone whose work fundamentally shaped the landscape around you.
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