Vlielander Museum

Vlieland is one of the smallest and quietest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, a long strip of dunes and beaches north of Harlingen with a single village, Oost-Vlieland, at its eastern end. The island has not always had only one village. The old village of West-Vlieland was lost to the sea in the early eighteenth century, destroyed by storms and encroaching sand, and the inhabitants moved to the surviving settlement in the east. That history of a community living on the edge, and shaped by wind and water, is a main theme of the island's heritage, and the village museum is the place that tells it.

The museum is known as Tromp's Huys, and it is housed in what is said to be the oldest building on the island, a house dating from the later sixteenth century. The name recalls the great Dutch admirals of the seventeenth century, whose ships sailed the waters around the islands, though the link between the house and the family is a matter of local tradition. The building has been open to visitors since the middle of the twentieth century, and it conveys something of the character of the old island houses, with low ceilings, small windows and thick walls built against the weather. Inside, the collections cover many aspects of life on the island, among them seafaring, fishing, shipwrecks, salvage and the daily lives of the people.

Art is another strand of the museum. The house was once the home of a painter, Betzy Akersloot-Berg, who lived on the island and painted its landscapes, and a number of her works are on show, along with those of other artists who were drawn here by the light and the sea. The combination of history and art gives the visit a personal feel. Temporary exhibitions and talks round out the programme, and a guided walk along the notable buildings of the village is offered on certain days, a good way to learn about the architecture.

Opening hours are limited, with the museum closed on some days of the week, and may be altered in winter, so check the website or ask at the tourist office. Another small museum or information centre on the island focuses on the natural environment, with exhibits about the dunes and the Wadden Sea.

The museum suits families, history lovers and anyone with a rainy afternoon on the island. A visit takes about an hour. Ferries run from Harlingen, and the island is a pleasure to explore on foot or by bicycle.