During the Second World War the dunes held a complete village of bunkers and camouflaged barracks. The German code name was Schlei, after the tench fish. The bunker museum is now housed in the Seeburg bunker, close to the beach entrance at the end of the Prins Bernhardweg. This bunker served as a communications centre: radar information was passed from here to the Luftwaffe in Leeuwarden. An ammunition bunker and the generator bunker of the position can also be visited. The museum is run by a foundation that collects and displays objects and stories from the war on the island.
On a high dune along the Prins Bernhardweg stands the Wasserman, a bunker that was part of the Atlantic Wall. The name refers to a radar installation the Germans wanted to place here, but which was never completed. As camouflage, the bunker was given a floor plan that looks like a church from the air. Climb to the top for one of the finest views on the island: over the dunes, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea.
Vredenhof
On the Reddingsweg, near the bunkers, lies Vredenhof: a cemetery for the drowned. It began in 1906, when a sailor washed ashore was buried here. In the First World War, pilots who had crashed over the North Sea followed, as did French soldiers from Dunkirk carried to the island by the current. After the Second World War, the fallen of both sides were also laid to rest here, Allies and Germans side by side. It is a quiet, special place.
Shell Museum Paal 14
On the Martjeland, a side street at the end of the Middenstreek, is the Shell Museum Paal 14. It shows around 1,500 different shells, sea creatures and beach finds from seas all over the world, all found by the owners themselves. Amber, bones and finds from shipwrecks are also part of the collection. Found something special on the beach yourself? You can have it identified here. The museum also sells booklets about the island's birds, plants, shells, butterflies and mushrooms.
In principle open daily from 14.00 to 17.00; check the sign at the museum. Martjeland 14, +31 519 531 663, www.schelpenmuseum.nl.
Het Koningshuis
On the corner of the Langestreek and the Nieuwestreek stands the Koningshuis, home of the cultural-historical society 't Heer en Feer. Changing exhibitions drawn from its own archive cover seafaring, whaling, farms, churches, lighthouses and the rise of tourism. There is also information about Vredenhof, and you can watch historical films about the island. Volunteers are happy to tell you more. The Koningshuis is open a few afternoons a week and admission is free.
www.theerenfeer.nl
Information centre Het Baken
Het Baken on the Reeweg is the island's information centre, with the VVV tourist office. The exhibition lets you discover the National Park, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and what makes Schiermonnikoog so special in an interactive way. For children there is the OERRR kids' corner, with nature finds they may look at and sometimes even touch. It is also the place for excursions and the current events calendar.
In the reception of It Aude Kolonyhûs on the Badweg is a cabinet of curiosities full of island stories. You will find, among other things, the Gribus figures from past festivals, a dragon preserved in spirits and a typewriter that belonged to Count Von Bernstorff. A fun, unexpected stop, especially with children.
www.itaudekolonyhus.nl
Wrakhout
At Van der Molenpad 15, opposite Het Baken, islander Harm Carrette makes little boats from driftwood washed ashore. Every boat is unique and the found materials take on fantastic shapes. He shows his work in an old barn. Worth popping in.
The village
The village of Schiermonnikoog is built in 'streken': long, straight streets with beautifully restored houses and small shops in between. This layout goes back to the Stachouwer family, who bought the island in the seventeenth century. Since 1951 two whale jawbones have stood on the Willemshof, a reminder of whaling, which was the main source of work before tourism. In the middle of the village stands the Great Church, Got Tjark, surrounded by its churchyard. Also pop into Hotel Van der Werff, the former council, court and post house, and see the classic taproom.
