There are more than 300 monuments on the island. Many of these monuments are linked to the history of Texel: fishing, shipping and sheep farming. For example, the ramparts, sheep fines, farms, fishermen's houses and the lighthouse are monumental.

The municipality of Texel manages the list of municipal and national monuments. This list includes many farmhouses and sheep fines, which have a characteristic Texel architectural style. The complete list can be viewed on this page.

Visit the Texel monuments

The list of monuments includes residential houses, public buildings and museums. At least a dozen monuments are open to the public. We highlight a number of them for you:

• Lighthouse: During the Second World War, the Texel lighthouse was heavily shelled. A new wall has been placed around the walled-in wall. The old wall has been preserved and can still be seen during a visit.
• Oudheidkamer: a museum has now been set up in the house dating from 1599. In the Antiquity Room you can see what life looked like in the 19th century.
• Bunker Den Hoorn: the former command post, on the dune top, has been preserved. You can walk through the corridors and enjoy a panoramic view over the dunes from the bunker.
• 't Walvisvaardershuisje: this house is one of the three pilot houses in Den Hoorn. Whalers lived here in the 18th century. This cottage is historically decorated and open for visiting on fixed days.
• Reformed church Den Hoorn: this church dates from 1425. The church is now on the edge of the village, on fixed days a guided tour is offered.
• Fort De Schans: this fort has a turbulent history. It was built by order of Willem van Oranje in 1574. The fort has been completely restored and is open to the public free of charge.
• Mill De Traanroeier: this windmill on the grounds of Museum Kaap Skil first served in Zaandam. In 1902 the mill moved to Oudeschild, where it is still in use and grinds for the Texel flour.
• Municipal School of Zuid-Eierland: the Eiland Galerij is now located in the traditionally built school. You can visit the gallery for free, the atmosphere of the old school is still there.
• Restaurant 't Schoutenhuys: on the fish market of Den Burg is the former courthouse, which dates from 1652. The building is now furnished as a restaurant, with historical elements preserved.
• Zeemanskerk: this church is located in Oudeschild from 1650. The VOC admirals, Tromp and De Ruyter, used to visit churches here regularly. The church is open to the public on Thursday afternoons from July to August.

Nice to see

You can not visit the following monuments, but are recommended to take a closer look:

• Mill Het Noorden: this polder mill in 1878 is still in very good condition. At sunset this is a very photogenic location!
• Reformed church Oosterend: this church dates from the Middle Ages and is located in the middle of the village.
• De Wezenputten: in the VOC era these two wells of the orphanage were used for the water supply for shipping.
• The 'IJzeren Kaap' or 'Kaap Oosterend': built in 1854 as a beacon for shipping. This tower is fireless and is still a landmark on the Wadden side.
• The courtyard of Den Burg: in the 17th century, some wool weavers lived and worked, which owes its street name. The architectural style has been preserved, the houses are still inhabited today.
• Bunker Texla: under the large grass bump you can see this bunker at Kogerweg 132. This bunker was part of the German headquarters on Texel.

Monuments day

The national monuments Day is organized every September.

Spend the night in a monument

Have you always wanted to stay in an accommodation with a special story? You can also spend the night in several monuments on Texel. You can rent the authentic fisherman's house De Bruinvis, sleep in the 19th century 't Wambuis, spend the night in the old farmhouse Huisje Schiller.

Fort De Schans

More about history on Texel