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)