Schoorl

Schoorl is a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. The village belongs to the municipality of Bergen.

Location

Schoorl is located about 8 km northwest of Alkmaar. By 2001, Schoorl was a separate municipality. The village covers about 8 km in length and a maximum width of 2 km. Schoorl is on the edge of the highest and widest dunes of the Netherlands, which reach a height up to 54 meters.

History

Schoorl was mentioned as Scoronlo, 1094 as Scorla and in 1639 as Scorle or Schoorel in the 10th century. The name indicated with the suffix a and lo indicate a forest and scor on a sandbank near a swampy area. The latter is derived from the Germanic word skaurna, which still can be found as Shore in English.

In the dunes of Schoorl an army camp was on the border with Bregtdorp from 1939 furnished. During World War II, the camp was used by the German occupiers as internment and concentration camps. From here, Jews and other prisoners were transported to other camps.

Attractions

• National Park " Schoorl Dunes " is the widest natural area along the Dutch coast.
• Schoorl aan Zee, the beach area of the town is car-free
• Reformed church from the 17th century
• Former Town Hall from 1601

Economy

Schoorl in summer is a center of tourism and offers 25 campsites in the surrounding environment.

Personalities

• Wim Botman ( born 1985 ), Dutch cyclist
• Jan van Scorel (1495-1562), Dutch painter