2018 marks the anniversary of the start of construction of the diga Afsluitdijk, one of the most impressive engineering works of all time that connects Friesland and Northern Holland: 32 km long, it closed the passage of water to the Wadden Sea (Unesco heritage), thus transforming the Zuiderzee ('South Sea ') in the IJsselmeer lake.
In addition to being important for the production of clean energy, it will also become a tourist attraction. In fact, in 2018 a visitor center, the Afsluitdijk Wadden Center, will be inaugurated at the height of the monument located halfway up the dam.
The project includes a permanent art installation entitled “Gates of Light” by Dutch artist and designer Daan Roosegaarde: it is a futuristic light installation that illuminates the 60 gates at the beginning of the dam built in 1932, highlighting the contours of the structures. In fact, stickers have been applied to each of the lock doors small prisms.
La car headlights that pass is reflected in such a way as to illuminate the characteristic profiles of the structures. If there are no cars on the road, no light is reflected. This installation requires no energy and creates no light pollution and is in line with the Dutch government's decision to establish a sustainable energy plan on national roads by 2030.
More than one hundred kilometers away from Amsterdam, this area of Holland is very touristy due to its numerous attractions. Starting from the fishing villages such as Enkhuizen and Hoorn or the towns of Makkum, Pensoren and Hindeloopen or the port town of Harlingen.
For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of doing fantastic things in the surroundings of the dam walk in the mud. It is an exciting and adventurous way to get to know a unique nature reserve which forms the largest national park in Europe: during low tide, in fact, the dry seabed allows you to cross the sea bed and it is possible to reach some of the West Frisian islands, such as Ameland , Schiermonnikoog, Rottumerplaat, Terschelling and Texel.
