Lights On #1 – Egmond aan Zee: Lighthouses, Sea & Stories 🌊
Details
We kick off a brand-new summer series: Lights On — a journey through coastal towns shaped by the presence of lighthouses. Places where land meets sea, where history is written in storms, and where communities have lived for centuries at the edge of the North Sea.
Our first stop is Egmond aan Zee, a picturesque seaside village near Alkmaar, with a story far more dramatic than its peaceful appearance might suggest.
Walking along the coast and through the village, we’ll explore how Egmond has been shaped — and battered — by the sea over centuries. Once home to two lighthouses due to an important shipping route, the town has seen both tragedy and heroism: lives lost to the waves, and others saved by the courage of local rescuers, the so-called Derpers.
We’ll dive into stories of:
- the vanished parts of the old village
- maritime life and survival
- the legacy of seafarers like Van Speijk
- and the deep connection between this community and the sea
🚶♂️ Walk details:
A relaxed 3.3 km walk, easy and accessible, focused on storytelling and atmosphere rather than speed.
🍺 After the walk:
We’ll head to Brasserie Bruutt to unwind with a drink. Here you’ll have the chance to try local beers, including those from the nearby Sancti Adalberti, brewed by the Egmond abbey in the spirit of Trappist traditions (though not officially Trappist).
***
A perfect way to spend a spring afternoon by the sea — history, fresh air, and good beer.
Join us 🌊