Dyke Worker - Monument
On the Markt in Westkapelle stands the monument to the Dyke Worker (Dijkwerker). This small but meaningful monument commemorates the generations of people from Westkapelle who worked for centuries to protect the village from the sea.
Why a monument to the Dyke Worker?
- Tribute to hard craftsmanship: The sculpture shows a bent-over Dyke Worker placing a basalt stone into the dyke. In this way, it refers to the heavy and precise work of stone setting, in which stones were carefully placed on the dyke to protect it against the force of the waves.
- Created by Ad Braat: The sculpture was made by sculptor Ad Braat and has stood on the Markt since 1979.
- Westkapelle and the sea: Westkapelle lies directly behind the high sea dyke. From as early as the 15th century, the dunes near the village were steadily reinforced and transformed into a strong sea defence.
- Village of dyke workers: Many men from Westkapelle used to work as dyke workers. Their tasks included earthworks, fascine work, pile driving, filling sandbags and placing heavy stones on the dyke.
- Impressive history: In the 19th century, dyke work was an important profession in Westkapelle. The Zeeuws Archief even records the names of 1059 dyke workers from Westkapelle from the period 1829-1870.
The sculpture is modest in size, but great in meaning: a lasting tribute to the dyke workers of Westkapelle who quite literally protected the village from the sea with their own hands.
Furthermore Dyke Worker is near the following sights: Playground Zeedijk (±150 m), De Noorman (±250 m), Ode aan Charley Toorop (±300 m), Schoppesteele (±350 m) & Polderhuis (±350 m).
For information
Markt, Westkapelle
Display Dyke Worker