The Road to Zandvoort

On March 28, 2026, the Zandvoorts Museum opened the exhibition The Road to Zandvoort – 200 Years of Seaside Resort. During this special opening, the focus was not only on the rich history of Zandvoort but also on the work of everyone who contributed to the exhibition. Interim Director Fokelien Renckens-Stenneberg expressed her appreciation for curator Stefan de Groot, who is responsible for the content and design of the exhibition. She also thanked collection manager Hans Konijn for the layout of the exhibition and Jan Kol for creating the model of the Groot Badhuis.

Guided Tour

One of the highlights of the opening was the guided tour by curator Stefan de Groot. He personally took those present through the exhibition and provided in-depth information about the stories, objects, and images on display. The tour is based on the book ‘En Zandvoorts heilig strand is van mijn togt het doel’ by historian Koen Marijt, which formed the basis for the exhibition. De Groot was asked last year to design the book. For the compilation of the book, he delved deep into the archives of the Zandvoorts Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Noord-Hollands Archief. This search yielded a wealth of visual material that can now also be seen in the exhibition. Additionally, De Groot created a life-sized painting showing the construction of the paved road in Zandvoort. This depicts how the paving was laid with IJssel stones and clinker bricks on the Hogeweg. De Groot found the original old stones in a brick factory in Borssele, and they are also on display in the exhibition. Furthermore, original documents such as the ‘Plan Eener Negotiatie’ and the letter to the King from the Noord-Hollands Archief are on display.

History

At the beginning of the 19th century, five enterprising notables from Haarlem and Amsterdam had a bold idea: to make Zandvoort the first seaside resort in the Netherlands. However, there was stiff competition. Scheveningen also saw opportunities in the emerging bathing culture. What followed was a true battle for the favor of the first seaside guests. To realize their plans, the initiators devised ‘Het Plan Eener Negotiatie’ – a loan used to raise money for a major infrastructural project: the construction of a paved road (Straatweg) to Zandvoort and the building of the first commercial bathhouse for wealthy visitors who came to the sea for cures and recreation. The new road was deliberately not built through the village. The initiators did not want to confront the new seaside guests with the poverty of the fishing village. Even the fishermen’s lighthouse had to make way, so that the well-to-do bourgeoisie could enjoy the sea view, fresh air, and the beach undisturbed.

Experience and history come together

The exhibition is built around an immersive combination of imagery, experience, and original sources. Visitors follow the story through a documentary, discover more themselves through interactive elements, and get a unique look behind the scenes thanks to authentic historical documents and objects. A special eye-catcher is the specially made model of the Groot-Badhuis.

This exhibition is a must-see because it brings the past to life in an accessible and surprising way. You not only experience how Zandvoort developed into a seaside resort but also feel the ambition and vision behind these plans—as if you were there yourself.

‘The Road to Zandvoort – 200 Years of Seaside Resort’ can be seen from March 28 to September 6, 2026.