Old and new: Haarlemmermeer is so versatile

In the Historical Museum Haarlemmermeer you can discover the history of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. In the museum you can experience the history of the polder, from the original inhabitants to the reclamation of the area and the development of the modern municipality. Really worth a visit, especially with children.

The three white steel bridges over the 20 meter wide Hoofdvaart between Hoofddorp and Nieuw-Vennep are absolutely striking. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Harp, Zither and Lute are very photogenic in the flat polder landscape of Haarlemmermeer. You don't have to leave the polder for the work of this world-famous Spanish architect, who designed the Oculus in New York and a number of iconic buildings and bridges in his hometown of Valencia.

Steam technology played an important role in the drainage of the Haarlemmermeer in the 19th century. Before that time, windmills were the main means of pumping water from the polder. However, this was not enough to drain the entire Haarlemmermeer. In 1852, the De Cruquius steam pumping station was built with the largest steam pumping station in the world. In addition to the three large pumping stations that had to pump out the Haarlemmermeer, drainage pumping stations were built. Steam pumping station Halfweg is one of them. In 2023, the 500 hp steam engine (and also the steam boiler) will have existed for 100 years and are still functioning. The pumping station will run under steam one weekend a month, from April to November 2023. And you can admire the oldest and still working paddle wheel steam pumping station in the world.

SugarCity in Halfweg is an industrial area that was used for sugar production between 1863 and 1992. You will still find various industrial elements, such as the former sugar refinery, which has been converted into an event location. You will also find outlet center Amsterdam The Style Outlets on site, where you can shop with very attractive discounts.