For centuries the North Sea with its tides reached in to the middle of the Netherlands .
Around that sea were fishermen’s villages, such as Hoorn, Marken, Volendam, Spakenburg, and Urk.

The village of Urk was founded on an island. When the Southern Sea (Zuider Zee) was closed (de Afsluitdijk),
the former sea slowly became fresh water, and Urk became connected to the main land.
Even though, many people say not “in Urk” but “on Urk”, that is, on the former island.

The villages around the former Southern Sea kept for a large part their main occupation in fishery, even when that sea became IJsselmeer.

Many say that Urk is the most beautiful and still authentic fishermen’s village in the Netherlands- and we agree!
Traditional values and Christian faith are an integral part of the identity of Urk’s inhabitants.

At the Monument near the sea, names of those perished at sea are inscribed. The statue is a woman, waiting for her husband to return from sea. Also in modern times, even with modern ships and refined equipment on board, fishermen perish.
At the monument, the names of Urker fishermen, both young and old, are remembered.