Discover Willemsoord in Den Helder, the former Royal Navy shipyard that is now a vibrant open-air museum and entertainment center. Explore the rich maritime history and impressive architecture.
Over the years, the former Royal Netherlands Navy shipyard Willemsoord in Den Helder has been transformed into a vast open-air museum and lively entertainment center. This remarkable site, constructed starting in 1811 on the orders of the French occupiers as the largest naval base in the Netherlands, is now a protected national monument. Here, you walk on historic ground where an impressive wet dock was excavated between 1811 and 1823. The excavated soil was used to fill in and raise the Wadden creeks and seaweed beds, drastically altering the appearance of the surrounding area. Particularly during the crisis years of the 1930s, Den Helder attracted many newcomers drawn by the job security offered by the navy. The city grew steadily, and after the Second World War, even the forts and fortifications were bridged to make way for new residential areas located further south. Despite this development, Huisduinen remains a quiet enclave, nestled between the polders and the Grafelijkheidsduinen. From the nineteenth century onwards, with the arrival of the navy and expansion as a seaport, Den Helder overshadowed the much older town in the northernmost part of North Holland. Today, at Willemsoord, you can experience the grandeur of yesteryear, surrounded by maritime history and cultural activity. This is a place where the past and present meet, a unique location where you can both learn and relax.
