Spaarndam in Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Het Rijnlandshuis
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The Rijnlandshuis
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
1. Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnlandshuis Marker
Voor u ziet u het Rijnlandshuis. In 1641 begon het hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland hier met een timmerhuis. Dat was nodig voor het onderhoud van de sluizen en de Spaarndammerdijk. Rijnland is een van de oudste democratische organisaties van Europa.
In 1728 werd een deel van het gebouw afgebroken en opnieuw opgebouwd. Het gebouw kreeg toen de vorm die het nu nog steeds heeft.
Het Rijnlandshuis bleef belangrijk voor het werk aan de dijken en waterwerken in het noorden van het gebied van Rijnland. Een bekende bewoner van het huis was Cruquius (1678-1754). Hij werkte voor Rijnland als opzichter. Hij was ook bekend als waterbouwkundige, kaartenmaker, weerkundige en sterrenkundige. Daarnaast was hij schout van Spaarndam.
Op het terrein staan ook bijgebouwen. Die werden vroeger gebruikt als werkplaatsen en opslagruimtes. In de toren van het gebouw hangt een noodklok uit 1524. Die werd geluid bij gevaar, zodat het dijkleger in actie kon komen. Dat leger bestond uit bewoners die hielpen op de dijken te bewaken en te repareren. Er waren ook postduiven om snel berichten te kunnen versturen bij noodsituaties. Het hoogheemraadschap Rijnland is nog steeds belangrijk voor Spaarndam. De dijken, het water, de gemalen en andere kunstwerken in het dorp zijn nog steeds eigendom van dit hoogheemraadschap.
Before you stands the Rijnlandshuis. In 1641, the Rijnland Water Board began construction here with a carpentry workshop. This facility was required for the maintenance of the sluices and the Spaarndammerdijk. Rijnland is one of the oldest democratic organizations in Europe.
In 1728, part of the building was demolished and rebuilt, taking on the form it retains to this day.
The Rijnlandshuis remained important for work on the dikes and hydraulic structures in the northern part of the Rijnland region. A notable resident of the house was Cruquius (16781754). He worked for Rijnland as a supervisor. He was also renowned as a hydraulic engineer, cartographer, meteorologist, and astronomer. In addition, he served as the schout (local magistrate) of Spaarndam.
There are also outbuildings on the site. These were formerly used as workshops and storage areas. An emergency bell dating from 1524 hangs in the building's tower; it was rung in times of danger so that the dike defense force could mobilize. This force consisted of local residents who helped guard and repair the dikes. Carrier pigeons were also used to send messages quickly during emergencies. The Rijnland Water Board remains important to Spaarndam; the dikes, waterways, pumping stations, and other hydraulic structures in the village are still owned by the board.
Erected 2026
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1641.
Location. 52° 24.732′ N, 4° 40.972′ E. Marker is in Spaarndam, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Haarlemmermeer. It is on Lagedijk, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lagedijk 53b, Spaarndam, Noord-Holland 2064 KW, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnland House (within shouting distance of this marker); De Grote Haarlemmersluis / The Grote Haarlemmersluis (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Verenigde Binnenpolders / United Inner Polders (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Het haarlemse huis / The Haarlem House
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
2. Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnlandshuis Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Gemeenlandshuis Spaarndam (Hoogheemraadschaap van Rijnland, in Dutch). Excerpt (in translation):
The original Gemeenlandshuis (Water Board House) of Rijnland in Spaarndam was the Huis te Oosterwaal, a building that no longer exists. In 1641, a so-called timmerhuis (carpentry workshop and storehouse)which serves as the current Gemeenlandshuiswas built next to that original structure.(Submitted on July 16, 2026.)
Over the centuries, the Gemeenlandshuis served as an occasional meeting place for the Rijnland Water Boards governing body, usually following inspections of the dike and sluices. The buildings primary function, however, was as a residence for the Rijnland overseer. Renowned water management experts such as Cruquius, Brunings, and Conrad lived there. Additionally, the building housed a repair workshop andstorage space for dike maintenance materials.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 20263. View of rear of Rijnlandshuis from Lagedijk
It was precisely herenear the constantly threatened Spaarndammerdijk, the weakest link in the sea defensethat the Water Board needed materials and workmen permanently on hand. They had to be ready to respond immediately if the waters of the IJ inlet rose dangerously high during stormy weather. Following the closure of the IJ in 1872 and the construction of the North Sea Canal in 1876, the bell at the Gemeenlandshuis no longer needed to be rung to summon the men of Spaarndam to guard the dikepatrolling in pairs along a 500-meter stretch. Hardstone markers indicating these patrol sections can still be found in the dike today.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
4. View of the front of the Rijnlandshuis from Spaarndammerdijk
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
