Haarlemmermeer offers several interesting museums. Go back in time to the period when Haarlemmermeer was still under water, or meet the earliest pioneers who will tell you about the initial difficulties facing farmers in the region and the development of the agricultural sector in Haarlemmermeer. Read all about how a real steam pumping station works in Museum de Cruquius or explore the forts of the Amsterdam Defence Line that can be found throughout the Haarlemmermeer region.
Museum De Cruquius
The Cruquius steam pumping station, which dates from 1849, is an industrial monument of global importance. Together with the Leeghwater and Lijnden steam pumping stations, the Cruquius helped to drain the Haarlemmermeer from 1849 to 1852 and then kept the polder drained until 1912. The Cruquius was the backup pumping station and was taken out of service with a ceremonial final pumping operation on 10 June 1933. These days it is a museum and concert venue. For more information and address...
Haarlemmermeer History Museum
A museum by and for everyone! The idea behind the Haarlemmermeer History Museum is to share the cultural heritage of Haarlemmermeer with all the residents and interested parties in the Haarlemmermeer region. With that in mind, the museum has a lively exhibition complemented by temporary exhibitions providing added insight into the history of Haarlemmermeer. For more information and address...
Fort Vijfhuizen
Fort Vijfhuizen is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. It was the task of this fort to defend the ring canal and embankment of the Haarlemmermeer polder, and the remaining dry strip of land along the western edge of the polder. Nowadays this fort hosts an Art Center with very interesting exhibitions. For more information and address...
The UNESCO Amsterdam Defence Line
Have you ever seen those unusual grey structures or green hills spread across the landscape? There’s a good chance that what you saw is part of the Amsterdam Defence Line, a 135-kilometre-long line of defences built between 1880 and 1914. This vast series of forts, dykes and sluices was constructed between 1880 and 1914 and forms a protective circle around the capital city. Elements of the Amsterdam Defence Line located in the Haarlemmermeer area include Fort Vijfhuizen, the Geniedijk, Fort bij Aalsmeer and Molen de Eersteling. For more information...