Zwartsluis

Zwartsluis is a small city in the Dutch province of Overijssel. It is located in the municipality of Zwartewaterland, at the mouth of the Zwarte Water river and the Meppelerdiep canal (nl).

Zwartsluis
The Arembergersluis (nl) of Zwartsluis
Flag Coat of arms
Zwartsluis Show map of Overijssel Zwartsluis Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°38′31″N 6°4′13″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Overijssel
Municipality	Zwartewaterland
Area [1]
• Total	18.34 km2 (7.08 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	3 m (9.8 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	4,890
• Density	267/km2 (691/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	8064[1]
Dialing code	038

History

1649 map of Zwartsluis in Willem and Joan Blaeu's "Toonneel der Steden"

Zwartsluis's history started in the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648): it developed around the Swartersluys fortress, which controlled traffic on the Zwartewater inlet leading to Hasselt and Zwolle. Zwartsluis attracted some trade and a fishing fleet in later centuries. Zwartsluis also served as a consolidation point for the peat-fuel trade, but was surpassed in importance by its neighbours, especially downstream Genemuiden.

The Dutch Reformed Church of Zwartsluis is a historic Dutch Reformed church building located on the Kerkstraat and the organ in the church is a designated Rijksmonument.^[3][4]

Recreation

The town is home to many recreational boats, as well as a heritage fleet of fishing and cargo vessels. The Arembergergracht canal links the town with the Beulaker and Belter lakes and a multitude of smaller bodies of water just north, created by peat digging.

Government

Zwartsluis was a separate municipality until 2001, when it became a part of Zwartewaterland.^[5]

Notable people

• Stieneke van der Graaf (born 1984), politician (MP)