Blokzijl
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City
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  Blokzijl Location in the Netherlands Show map of Overijssel Blokzijl Blokzijl (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands | |
| Coordinates: 52°43′35″N 5°57′42″E / 52.72639°N 5.96167°E / 52.72639; 5.96167 | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Overijssel |
| Municipality | Steenwijkerland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.28 km2 (6.29 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
| Population
(2021)[1]
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| • Total | 1,400 |
| • Density | 86/km2 (220/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
8356[1]
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| Dialing code | 0527 |
Blokzijl is a small city located southwest of Steenwijk in the province of Overijssel, the Netherlands. The city is a major tourist destination near the De Weerribben-Wieden National Park and attracts many water sports enthusiasts.
Blokzijl was founded in the 1580s as a trading post for peat. After the Siege of Steenwijk (1580–81) in the Eighty Years' War, the Dutch built a fortified lock or in local dialect zijlorsiel. The monumental houses around the picturesque harbour were built during 17th century. Blokzijl received city rights in 1672, but was stripped of them a few years later. Until 1973, it was a separate municipality, when it became a component of the new municipality Brederwiede; it is now part of Steenwijkerland.
One the interesting sights of the city is an old cannon, located on the harbour quay. This cannon was not used for defense purposes, but as a warning device during storm and high tide. Flooding was a real danger before the Noordoostpolder and the Afsluitdijk were constructed in the 1930-40's. One residential building shows the height the water reached during a flood in 1825. In 1926, a fire destroyed part of the centre and damaged the church.[3]
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