There are very few cities in the world that are the subject of legends. One of the cities that achieved this honor is undoubtedly the destroyed city of Saeftinghe, whose name we have not heard of much.
Saeftinghe (Saaftinga), or the city of Saaftinghe as it is written in some sources, once existed in the southwest of the Netherlands. We say it was continuing because now this city has already made its mark on the list of destroyed cities just like Port Royal.
Saeftinghe was more like a town than a city. It was within the borders of the province of Zeeland in the southwest of the Netherlands and adjacent to the present-day town of Nieuw-Namen. According to historical documents, Saeftinghe, its existence until 1584 was able to continue. Currently, only a swamp remains from Saeftinghe, and if you visit this swamp by yourself; you will most likely not need a return ticket after Saeftinghe.
The story of the name Saeftinghe and the importance of the city
The moment when the students visiting Saeftinghe with the guides scan the area with the help of the map
Saeftinghe, named after From Williem van Saeftinghe, one of the important names of Ter Doest Abbey taking. the territory of Saeftinghe until 1570; It was one of the most fertile lands in the region. It is said that his reputation was so fertile that it went beyond the borders of the Netherlands.
Of course, its fertile lands were not the only thing that made Saeftinghe so popular. With good management, Saeftinghe became one of the most important commercial centers of the region, just like Port Royal. The city of Saeftinghe also of high strategic importance it was a city. So much so that the state controlling the city of Saeftinghe also controlled the Port of Antwerp. How sad for us that the fates of the two cities are so similar.
The decay and disappearance of the cogs of Saeftinghe
There are swamps in Saeftinghe that pose serious dangers.
Saeftinghe’s welfare scheme After 1570, it started to deteriorate with successive natural disasters. started. Saeftinghe, who could not cope with the disasters especially from the sea, was destroyed more and more with each disaster.
The disaster that actually destroyed Saeftinghe; famous 1570 All Saint Disaster (Flood) is known. This catastrophe was so strong that the territory of Saeftinghe is said to have even been mixed with the territory of present-day Belgium. In addition, according to the documents, more than 20 thousand people lost their lives as a result of this disaster.
Saeftinghe, who lost a significant part of his land with disasters, took the rest of his land. Eighty Years’ War in 1584 (We can describe it as the Dutch War of Independence). In 1907, although the wounds of the Saeftinghe region were tried to be healed and revived, all attempts were unsuccessful.
Today’s Saeftinghe visiting site
A school group that does not neglect to enjoy the mud after doing archaeological studies in Saeftinghe
The Dutch city of Hulst is thought to have been partially built on the ruins of Saeftinghe. For this reason, the city of Hulst has become one of the popular tourist destinations. Holland, A special visiting route for visitors who want to see Saeftinghe in 1997 created. Today, an average of 12 thousand tourists visit the Saeftinghe region annually. There is a strange abundance in the region even today. So in this tiny space More than 200 bird species It continues its life in its natural environment and contributes to bird tourism.
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Tourists coming to the region both enjoy the history of Saeftinghe on the spot and enjoy bird tourism. If you want to see up-to-date pictures about Saeftinghe or if you are planning a sightseeing tour, you can check out the official page of Saeftinghe.
The legendary legend about the destruction of Saeftinghe
Legend has it that Saeftinghe’s people were very arrogant because of their wealthy lives. Farmers dressed in silk, horses were put on silver shoes, and most household items were plated with gold.
Over time, this pompous life of Saeftinghe attracted the attention of the poor and a wave of immigration started from neighboring cities to Saeftinghe, who wanted to get a share of this wealth, but the people of Saeftinghe prevented these migrations by fighting.
While these events continue; on a foggy day, Saeftinghe a mermaid in the fishermen’s net is attached. The mermaid actually got caught in the net on purpose. Its purpose is to warn the people of Saeftinghe, who are degenerating and starting to mistreat nature. But the arrogant people of Saeftinghe do not heed these warnings. Moreover, the fishermen take the mermaid captive. Learning about this situation, the mermaid’s husband, the sea man, curses and destroys the city using his supernatural powers.
The influence of the legend on the people of the region
Saeftinghe’s with this curse of the All Saint Catastrophe that caused his destruction believed to have begun. With the influence of the legend, there have been many ghost sightings in the city of Hulst. Allegedly, these ghosts are; They are the souls of mermaids and people who lost their lives during the All Saint Disaster. According to belief; The spirits want to tell that All Saint’s Disaster happened because people did not treat nature well in the past, and they warn people today to be kind to nature.
Although it is a legend, we think it is a great feeling that environmentally sensitive societies grow up with the instinct of protecting nature through legends. Let’s treat nature better from now on, unless we want the spirits and ghosts of Saeftinghe to bother us…
Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 /