Residential areas: facts, DNA and other details

Sint Philipsland, pearl on the Oosterschelde

The current village of Sint Philipsland was rebuilt in the 17th century after the predecessor of the village disappeared in the waves due to a storm surge. This makes it the youngest core of the municipality of Tholen. The residents have resolutely rebuilt their village and their existence. Sint Philipsland is a typical ring-for-street village, as you often encounter in Zeeland, West Brabant and South Holland. And yet a visit is more than worth it. Anyone who explores the remarkably wide Voorstraat, as everywhere at right angles to the dike, will feel and see its young history. The many shops disappeared, but what remained is the close-knit, committed community. A summary of the many sports clubs and associations says it all.

The people here are friendly and still greet each other

Elna Boon, Sint Philipsland

Sint Philipsland is located on the island of the same name and is the smallest inhabited (of course now former) island of Zeeland and is characterized by a beautiful polder landscape, which is surrounded by the Oosterschelde. The water is always close by here, the dikes are challenging to climb and enjoy the view over water and land. You will be rewarded everywhere! Sint Philipsland is a wonderful island to discover, on foot or by bicycle. And then of course you also visit the former ferry port of Anna Jacobapolder where the ferry to Zijpe used to leave, near Bruinisse on Schouwen-Duiveland.

In April 2018 a new walking route was put into use under the melodious name Parelroute Sint Philipsland. Because pearls, Sint Philipsland has enough!

Back in the time of Sint Philipsland

In the 15th century, Anne of Burgundy took the initiative to embed a piece of salt marsh between the Slaak and the Zijpe and founded the village of Sint Philipsland, which she named after her father, Duke Philip of Burgundy. A century later, however, the village disappeared in the waves of the sea and was re-dammed in the 17th century. The wide Voorstraat runs from the dike to the octagonal hall church from 1668 on the square ring. On the dike stands the De Hoop corn mill from 1724, a wooden mill. In 1925 a 27 meter high water tower was built on the edge of the village. The former independent municipality of Sint Philipsland merged with the municipality of Tholen in 1988.

Would you like to know more about the history of Sint Philipsland? Also check out the website of the Municipal Archives.