Oude Meer: a village in Haarlemmermeer with a watery past
The watery past of Oude Meer
In the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, every place of residence has its own iconic building by which you can recognize the place. Oude Meer is officially so small that it is actually a hamlet instead of a real village. You can recognize Oude Meer by a duck, which symbolizes the relationship with the water.
The Oude Meer used to be an extension of the New Lake. Starting in 1956, the Nieuwe Meer was expanded on the north side through sand extraction. A large portion of the Riekerpolder was excavated for this purpose, creating Riekerplas, which became part of the Nieuwe Meer. The entire Oude Meer disappeared in the process.
The Shack: music café with live performances in Oude Meer
Things to Do in Old Lake
From Oude Meer you can take a boat and sail straight onto the water and across the Ringvaart and adjacent lakes, such as the Nieuwe Meer, the Westeinderplassen and the KagerplassenDuring the summer and spring months, the Ringvaart area is perfect for enjoying the fresh air. So pack a picnic basket and spend the day on or by the water.
Or visit The Shack, a music café focused entirely on live performances. The café only opens its doors when a band is on stage. This ensures you're there at the right time for a fun and musical evening.
