There is no man who does not know Venice – a city of palaces and canals. But not everyone knows that there is a village in the Netherlands, which is also known as the Venice of the Netherlands this city is located on the water.
The village was founded by a group of fugitives from the Mediterranean region around AD 1230. It became well known in 1958 when it was featured in the film Fanfare, made by Dutch filmmaker Bert Haanstra.
The village owes it characteristic appearance to peat digging. The peat diggers dug up the peat-soil at the places that most suited them, mixed it in a trough and spread it out on the land to dry. This led to the formation of large and small lakes. To transport the peat, ditches and canals were excavated. Many houses are as it were built on little islands, reached through a high bridge. The villagers use small boats with a quiet electric motors known as whisper boats, and wooden bridges are used to connect one island with another.
Giethoorn became famous, especially after 1958, when the Dutch film maker Bert Haanstra made his famous comedy "Fanfare" there.
Giethoorn became famous, especially after 1958, when the Dutch film maker Bert Haanstra made his famous comedy "Fanfare" there.
