WATERSNOODMUSEUM - FLOOD MUSEUM

This unique museum will leave a lasting and powerful impression. Dedicated to the terrible floods that ravaged the region in 1953, it opened in 2001 in one of the four caissons used to close the breach in the dike near the village of Ouwerkerk. Initially housed in a single caisson, it now occupies four, offering an immersive look back at the deadly disaster that left an indelible mark on the whole country. The museum allows visitors to relive the disaster and the rescue operations, and to learn more about the victims and survivors. The deeply religious population was incredibly affected by the tragedy. Even today, the survivors find it difficult to talk about what they experienced during the night of January 31-February¹, 1953.

Each caisson in the museum is themed:

The first caisson evokes the facts and context of the tragedy.

The second focuses on emotions, with the poignant installation "1835+1" in tribute to the victims.

The third is devoted to reconstruction, the international solidarity movement and the genesis of the Delta plan.

The fourth caisson looks to the future and environmental issues.

The museum also has a store and a café. A walk around the grounds, an integral part of the museum, offers a magnificent spectacle of land and sea, typical of Zeeland. An essential visit to understand the impact of this tragedy on the region and its inhabitants.