The Vlielander Kaasbunker is a unique building on the Dutch Wadden island of Vlieland, which forms an important part of the history of cheese production on the island. It is a former cheese storage facility that was used as a shelter for the local population during World War II. Today, the bunker is a popular museum and a popular attraction among tourists. HistoryThe history of cheese production on Vlieland goes back to the 17th century, when the first farms on the island were founded. At the time, the island was largely covered with dunes and forests, but the cultivation of the soil created fertile fields and meadows. The farmers started to keep dairy cattle and make cheese from it, which was then traded on the mainland. Over the years, cheese production on Vlieland developed into an important economic sector. Vlieland cheese was known for its high quality and was traded to different parts of the Netherlands and even beyond. Special cheese storage facilities were built to store the cheese, of which the Vlielander Cheese Bunker is one. World War IIThe Vlielander Cheese Bunker was built in Built in 1943 by the German occupiers of the island. The bunker was intended as a storage place for food and other supplies for the German troops stationed on the island. During the war, however, the bunker was also used as a shelter for the local population. Many inhabitants of Vlieland were afraid of the bombardments that took place on the mainland and sought a safe shelter in the bunker. After the war, the cheese bunker was used again as a storage place for cheese. In the 1960s, however, cheese production on Vlieland fell into decline, partly due to the rise of industrial cheese production on the mainland. The cheese bunker was abandoned in the 1970s and slowly fell into disrepair. RestorationIn 1993, the Vlielander Cheese Bunker was restored and converted into a museum. Today it is a popular museum that offers visitors a glimpse into the history of cheese production on Vlieland. The museum shows, among other things, old cheese tools and machines and gives an impression of the hard life of the farmers on the island. In addition, there is a film about the history of cheese production on Vlieland and there is a tasting where visitors can taste the local cheese. |
Setting | Indoor & Outdoor |
Average time | 1uur |
Monday | Unknown |
Tuesday | 13:00 - 16:30 |
Wednesday | 13:00 - 16:30 |
Thursday | 13:00 - 16:30 |
Friday | 13:00 - 16:30 |
Saturday | 10:00 - 16:30 |
Sunday | Unknown |
8,315.65 km from Denver, United States |