Kooiplaats en Nassaukooi - Nature

The Kooiplaats nature area lies east of Buren, on the edge of the Kooiduinen and towards the open eastern part of Ameland.

What can you expect at the Kooiplaats?

It is not a busy attraction, but rather a quiet and atmospheric place where nature, silence and island history come together beautifully.

• Historic Nassaukooi: The main highlight of the Kooiplaats is the Nassaukooi, an old duck decoy dating from the early 18th century. This place shows how cleverly people once made use of the landscape, water, reeds and decoy ducks.
  • Connection with Orange-Nassau: The name Nassaukooi refers to the historic connection with the House of Orange-Nassau. According to tradition, Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau commissioned the construction of the duck decoy and the accompanying decoy keeper’s house around 1705.
  • Old craft of the decoy keeper: In the past, wild ducks were guided towards the catching pipes with great patience and silence. The decoy keeper used tame decoy ducks, reed screens and his knowledge of bird behaviour. Quiet was essential.
  • Especially interesting with a guide: Today, ducks are no longer caught here for consumption. The Nassaukooi is mainly interesting as a cultural-historical site. During a guided tour, the stories about the catching pipes, the decoy keeper and old island life really come to life.
• Quiet area with history: Around duck decoys, a so-called decoy right often applied. This meant that no noise was allowed in the surrounding area, so the ducks would not be scared away. As a result, such a place already had a special protected character in earlier times.

A different side of Ameland

The Kooiplaats shows that Ameland is much more than beach, dunes and sea. Here it is all about old island traditions, clever use of nature and a landscape that has been shaped by people and animals for centuries. It is precisely the combination of silence, history and nature that makes this place special.

Practical information

• Location: The Kooiplaats lies east of Buren, on the edge of the Kooiduinen. The Kooiplaats feels a little hidden. It is a lovely place to pause for a moment during a walk or cycle ride from Buren towards the eastern side of Ameland.
• Visit: The Nassaukooi is especially interesting during an excursion or guided tour, as the stories and explanations give the place much more meaning.
• Combine with: Turn it into a lovely walk or cycle ride and combine the Kooiplaats with the Kooiduinen, Nieuwlandsreid or a trip towards the Oerd.
• Tip: Take the time to look around quietly here. The charm of the Kooiplaats lies precisely in its silence, hidden location and remarkable history.

The Kooiplaats near Buren is a small but valuable place for anyone who wants to discover the quiet and historic side of Ameland. A lovely stop for nature lovers, walkers and anyone who wants to learn more about old life on the island.

Furthermore Kooiplaats en Nassaukooi is near the following sights: Kooiduinen (±175 m), Trout Fishing Ponds 't Nijlân (±1,2 km), Nieuwlandsreid (±1,4 km), Bureblinkert (±1,4 km) & Klein Vaarwaterweg (±1,4 km).

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For information

Kooiplaats, Buren, Ameland
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