Ommerschans, Historical hamlet in Ommen, Netherlands
Ommerschans is a hamlet in the municipality of Ommen in the Dutch province of Overijssel, situated where forests meet agricultural land. You can still see traces of old fortifications here, including a moat on the eastern side of the road to Balkbrug.
The hamlet was transformed in 1819 into a specialized colony to support people experiencing poverty, marking an important shift in Dutch social welfare. The fortifications visible today date from an earlier military period.
The cemetery near this hamlet is a quiet place where you can reflect on the lives of those who once lived in the colony. It shows how social structures were organized in the 19th century.
The hamlet is easily reached and surrounded by walking trails through forests and farmland that let you explore the local landscape. It serves as a good starting point or stopping point for longer walks through the region.
The settlement holds unusual layers of two very different historical periods in one place. Traces of the old military fortification sit alongside evidence of the later poverty colony, making it a rare example of how a place can shift its entire purpose.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
