Paesens-Moddergat

Paesens - Moddergat ( Frisian: Peazens - Moddergat ) are actually two villages in the municipality Dongeradeel in the province of Friesland (Netherlands). But both villages form a community and the people see it as a village. Paesens and Moddergat have together 520 inhabitants (2008 ).

Paesens and Moddergat lie to the north of the municipality Dongeradeel and two fishing villages with a long history. A landmark in the village is the fishing museum 't Fiskershúske ( The Fisherman's house ), where you can learn more about the former fishing life more. It consists of several restored fishermen's houses from the late 18th century. Behind the dike has a clear view of Schiermonnikoog, Engelsmanplaat and in fine weather on Ameland.

History

1449 muddy the brook, which gave its name to the villages Paesens and Moddergat. In the 19th century, the village had a large fishing fleet. But found in the night of 5 March 6, 1883 in a storm 83 Fischer 's death and 17 ships were destroyed. This meant disaster for the villages Paesens - Moddergat the beginning of the downfall of their coastal fisheries.

Of it now reminds still built on the bank monument on which the names of the fishermen and the register numbers of the ships were immortalized. The letters WL the ships of the former municipality Westdongeradeel be called.

Today, the fishing village still takes an important position. But the ships are in port today Lauwersoog. Until the 1984 municipal reform completed Paesens belonged to the former municipality Oostdongeradeel and Moddergat to Westdongeradeel.

Natural gas

For some years it is known that near Moddergat a considerable amount of natural gas is present in the Wadden Sea. For years, there have been protests against a planned promotion because they feared contamination of the water and the environment. In addition, you afraid of a possible sacking of the soil in the wake of natural gas extraction. In this context, it was always referred back to East Groningen, where the ground gradually sags in the wake of natural gas extraction. In Middelstum there are regular small earthquakes, which are also associated with natural gas production. Despite the fierce controversy a gas-extraction tower already built in the sea off Moddergat.

The most beautiful spot of the Netherlands

The broadcasting company Nederlandse Vereniging Radio Christelijke started in 2004 a television program in which the most beautiful spot of the Netherlands ( De mooiste Plek van Nederland) was determined. In the final show from November 27, 2004 Moddergat came in second place behind the National Park Weerribben.