Polder Peil

If we could recommend one perfect day in beautiful Zeeland, The Netherlands, it would be cycling from sculpture to sculpture in the Wilhelminapolder. Not only does it offer breathtaking views of the polders and the peaceful landscape, but it’s also a wonderful way to experience (free!) art in the open air. And please don’t forget your oyster knife!

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Wilhelminapolder, Michael Beutler (Germany, 1976) was commissioned to create nine sculptures. The stacked spheres are meant to draw attention to the subtle changes in elevation that give the polder its unique character.

The sculptures vary in size and are placed at different heights throughout the polder. The largest is by a pond at the lowest point, while the smallest sits atop a dike, with the others scattered in between. What ties them together is the way the changing light interacts with the concrete, constantly shifting in tune with the expansive landscape. Each sculpture is made of two identical halves that never quite align, creating a visible seam exactly 3.80 meters above sea level. If you trace that seam from one sculpture to the next, it forms an invisible line just above the rolling land—like a hidden horizon.

What’s really fun is how, no matter where you stand, you’ll always see at least one other sculpture, and in one place, you can even spot five at once. This creates a visual connection between them, forming a unique 10-kilometer route through the polder. We had such a great time figuring out where to stand to catch all five in one view!