Dwarsdijk

Dwarsdijk, formerly also known as Nijendijk, is a hamlet near Cothen in the Kromme Rijn region, municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede. The name Dwarsdijk originated because the hamlet is located halfway along a cross dike between the stream ridges (elevations in the landscape formed as a riverbank along a vanished river course) of the old course of the Kromme Rijn and the Lek. The dike, which was meant to hold back floodwaters, runs from north to south. The northern part of this dike is called Smidsdijk. In ancient times, there was a large (rural) Roman settlement here. The area on the eastern side of the Smidsdijk has been classified by archaeologists as "an old living area on the highest part of the riverbank." Remains of the Roman settlement have also been found along the Kapelleweg. The southern part, between the hamlet and the Lek, was formerly called Dwarsdijk and is now called Hoeksedijk. This dike has been interrupted since 1952 by the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, with no river connection on site.

In terms of economic activity, agriculture has historically played an important role here. Around the turn of the century, the focus shifted from arable farming to livestock and fruit cultivation. In recent years, we see further specialization, with farmers either raising livestock or growing fruit.

Comparison of the images, from 1870 and this century respectively, shows many recognizable similarities, except for the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal.

Rieno ✅ Routes