Ommelebommelestien

The Ommelebommelestien is a boulder in the water off the coast of Urk, the old fishing village on the shore of the former Zuiderzee, and it is better known for its legend than for its looks. It is a glacial erratic, a large block of rock carried from Scandinavia by the ice sheets of the last Ice Age and dropped here when the ice melted. Many such stones are found in the Netherlands, and Urk, which was an island of boulder clay deposited by the ice, has more than most, but this one has acquired a special status in local folklore.

According to Urk tradition, babies are not brought by the stork but are fetched from the Ommelebommelestien. When a child was due, the story goes, the expectant father went out by boat with the midwife to the stone, and there he paid for the right to take his new child home. Different versions of the tale exist, including one in which a stork brings the babies to the rock, and another in which a magic key from nearby Schokland is needed to open it. The legend is told to children in the village and is part of the playful side of a community that is otherwise known for its seriousness, its deep religious tradition and the dangers of a life at sea. A plaque on shore with a poem inspired by the story helps visitors to find it.

The stone can be seen from the waterfront, a short distance out in the water, so a visit is simply a matter of walking to the shore and looking. There is no entrance fee and no set opening time, and the best views are in clear weather with the light behind you. The stone is not reachable on foot, and visitors should not try to wade out to it, as the water is deeper than it looks and the weather can change quickly. Binoculars help if you want a closer view.

The stone is a good addition to a walk around Urk. The harbour, with its fishing boats and fish restaurants, is nearby, and the Kerkje aan de Zee, the Church by the Sea, and the Fishermen's Monument, Het Vissersmonument, are within a short walk. The Urker dialect, the traditional costume and the old shipyards give the place its character. Schokland, a UNESCO site and another former island, is a short ride away across the polder.

The stone suits families with children, lovers of folklore and anyone who enjoys the odd and curious. A visit takes ten minutes, and it fits into a longer day in the village.