As a child in the 1980s, I regularly cycled with my father along the fences surrounding the mysterious Hembrugterrein on the North Sea Canal. Something very secretive and special was happening there. The military site was strictly guarded and no one just entered it. They were exciting bike rides.

For non-sawyers: back in history for a moment

On the wooded Hembrugterrein, ammunition and weapons were made for the Dutch army from 1895 to 2003 in buildings scattered around the site. Thanks to its location, behind the defence line of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, the factory was able to supply the army with weapons and ammunition. The site was heavily secured. After its closure in 2003, the site fell into disrepair. From 2011, steps were taken to develop the area and in 2014, the public was allowed to take a look behind the fences for the first time in history.

anno 2019

I will never forget the Hembrug bike rides with my father. I am therefore very curious to see what there is to see and do on the Hembrug terrain now. By now, many of the 50 national and municipal monuments have been renovated. Some of these industrial buildings are home to entrepreneurs and creative people.

There are shops, such as home furnishing shop Flinders, you can heerlijk and drink, and events and festivals are organised on the grounds. Festivals such as the LINDA.festival, the Happinez Festival and, of course, Hembrug Happening are already being looked forward to. The^5th edition of the latter festival is scheduled for 1 September next!

the secrets of hembrug

If you are curious about the history of the area, the Hembrug Museum is a must-see. The open-air museum is housed in two transformer houses at the beginning of the site and can be visited every day for free. The museum is part of the Zaans Museum, which also organises guided tours for those who really want to discover all the secrets of the site.

gifts and (big) art for everyone

Near the Hembrug Museum you will find Artzaanstad in a striking building. You probably remember them from the Speeldoos, the Zaanish art library. You can always drop in here to look around. Even without borrowing art, as Artzaanstad 's gift shop is really nice and is one to remember!

They regularly organise great exhibitions. Very special will be BIG ART in September 2019. From 12 to 15 September, the industrial Hembrugterrein will be occupied for four days by more than seventy XL artworks by contemporary artists and designers. A unique mix of monumental paintings and drawings, large sculptures, large photographs and huge installations by acclaimed names and emerging talents.

food and drink

Completely unknown to me, the terrain is not completely unknown as Lab-44 is surely one of my favourite Zaans restaurants. The building of Lab-44 used to be used as a laboratory for the munitions factory and has been beautifully restored. Whether it's for lunch or dinner, you can eat heerlijk food and I love coming there. In an old transformer house you'll find BIND, famous for its delicious sandwiches and slow coffee. In the old bullet factory on the North Sea Canal, where you also find museum Het HEM, you can enjoy an eight-course dinner in the newly opened restaurant Europa.

museum of humanity: impressive

Zaans photographer Ruben Timman portrayed thousands of people worldwide, often in an area affected by war or disaster. The portraits are exhibited in large format at the Museum of Humanity. The combination of the old building with the special light, the beautiful portraits and the story behind the portraits make an impression. Very special. The museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For admission, you pay what you like.

het hem: xl culture house

The Hembrugterrein surprised me! What a great place this is. One to come back to more often, that's one thing for sure. Since June, Het HEM has opened in the old bullet factory. This brand-new museum features changing exhibitions but also a library, studio and space for music and film. Weather permitting, the terrace and outdoor bar on the North Sea Canal are open where you can enjoy the view over the water and passing boats.