Elburg

The old Zuiderzee harbor of Elburg has endured so much in the past and has been flooded so often by the rising water that it had to be completely rebuilt further inland in the 14th century. The checkerboard pattern dates from that time. Elburg is originally a village of fishermen, but their place in the harbor has since been taken over by water sports enthusiasts from Lake Veluwe. Of the historical monuments in the center, the old Vischpoort, which was part of the fortifications, is one of the most attractive. Guided tours are organized in the summer through the casemates located underneath. The Vischpoort leads, among other places, to the harbor where the current fleet of fishing boats is moored. You can recognize a 'botter' by the abbreviation EB.

The golden age as a fishing harbor is clearly over. In 1930, Elburg had a fleet of 72 ships, consisting of botters, plutes, bonzens, and punters. Fish was caught for herring, flatfish, eel pouts, anchovies, and eels. That's all in the past now. Whether the smoked eel from the renowned eel smoker Van Triest still comes from local waters is not entirely clear, but it still tastes as good as ever.

Lannoo