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Middelburg

Located around five miles from the port city of Vlissingen, the birthplace of my mother, lies Middelburg, the capital city of Zeeland, one of the twelve provinces that make up The Netherlands. The city is an absolute joy to walk around and take in the many sights and sounds, with many unique shops and interesting buildings to look at.

From a personal note, one of the best things about Middelburg is the ease by which you can travel around the city; I find that when I have cycled into Middelburg, right into the centre and out the other side to continue on to Veere or Vlissingen, I can usually do this without stopping and is actually very enjoyable; this is in stark contrast with England, where a keen cyclist would generally avoid any built-up area. And it is not just cycling either; I have driven through Middelburg during rush-hour and find it quite enjoyable; it is very noticeable that a significant number of journeys are undertaken by people on bikes, so the amount of cars on the road is less.

1. 16 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Vario-Elmar-R 105-280mm f/4.2, 1/500sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

This will be a very familiar sight to anyone who has cycled to Middelburg from the direction of Vlissingen. This photograph was taken on the Oost Souburg bridge, a town located between the two cities. To the left is the ‘Jaagpad’, a beautiful cycle path alongside the Walcheren canal. In the distance, ‘Lange Jan’ is very clearly visible, a very distinctive tower that is usually the first thing you see when you are in close proximity of Middelburg.

2. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/125sec @ f/4, exposure compensation +1 stop, ISO 400.

In Middelburg now. This photograph shows the ‘Schroebrug’. In this photograph, the bridge is open to road traffic, so it can cross the bridge; however, if boats need to travel through, the main section of the bridge will lift up completely. This type of bridge is quite popular in movies, where a motorised vehicle will attempt to jump the bridge.

3. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

The obligatory windmill. Middelburg has quite a number of windmills, as you might expect. This one is called ‘Molen De Hoop’.

4. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

5. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

Cafe terrace in place, with the Town Hall behind.

6. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

Middelburg Town Hall, regarded as one the finest Gothic buildings in The Netherlands. Construction began in 1452 and completed in 1520. During World War Two, German bombing destroyed the interior of the building, with the exterior surviving. It was subject to an extensive restoration, which was completed in the late-20th century. The Town Hall is located in the main square of Middelburg, which is used for civic events such as market days and other events.

7. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/80sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

8. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

9. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/50sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

One of the first days for me using the fisheye lens, which gives a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees, with very obvious barrel distortion, meaning that straight lines at the edge of the frame bow inwards. So, in this case, the Town Hall takes on a bendy look, with the bike towards the middle of the image retaining a ‘normal’ look. A great fun lens to use, that now has a permanent place in my camera bag when I am out and about.

10. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

In photography, there are conventions and rules that are routinely broken. One of them is to try and avoid lorries in photographs of 600 year old buildings; but in this case, I think it works. At the time of taking this photo, it was early morning, just before 8am, where the vendors and shops were getting things ready; I think the lorry in this case leads the eye into the frame nicely and contrasts nicely with the Town Hall. Another rule broken is that when using a fisheye lens, it should look obvious that one was used; however, in this case I ensured that the lens was held in a way to avoid the obvious ‘bendy’ look.

12. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Vario-Elmar-R 105-280mm f/4.2, 1/800sec @ f/4.8, ISO 400.

Detail photograph showing the roof of the Town Hall, and then above this the tower with the clock and golden figures.

13. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

Closer details of the wall. The figures are counts and countesses of Zeeland, from the 11th to the 15th century.

14. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

This splendid water fountain was in front of the Town Hall when I visited in 2024, which is a scale model of the Town Hall on top of what is presumably the water storage container. Sitting down on either chair caused water to come out of the model, making it probably the most elaborate water fountain I have ever seen!

15. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/80sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

Detail of the front of the Town Hall.

16. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

Probably the best known-building in Middelburg, Lange Jan; which translates to ‘Long John’.

17. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/160sec @ f/9.5, ISO 100.

18. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 200mm), 1/250sec @ f/8, ISO 200.

Detail of the top of the tower of Lange Jan.

19. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

Another of the very distinctive and historic buildings in Middelburg, the Kloveniersdoelen, built in the 17th century as headquarters of the civic guard. Today, it acts as a restaurant and cafe, and is also used to host civic events including concerts and social gatherings.

20. 18 June 2024, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

The Kloveniersdoelen is located near a river that flows around the city, as sort of ‘inner stream’.

20. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

I felt that the Sherrif’s bike would make for an interesting photo with the Kloveniersdoelen behind.

21. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/400sec @ f/9.5, ISO 200.

22. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/4.8, ISO 200.

23. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/500sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200.

A typical street in Middelburg.

25. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/9.5, ISO 200.

Oostkerk (East Church) in Middelburg. Despite having visited Middelburg on numerous occasions I never knew of this building; I came across it ‘by accident’ during my holiday in June 2026! The church is actually one of the most significant churches in the city, which was built between 1647 and 1667.

24. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/4.8, ISO 200.

26. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/9.5, ISO 100.

27. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200.

Middelburg Yacht Harbour.

28. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200.

29. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/19, ISO 200.

30. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/11, ISO 200.

31. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/8, ISO 100.

32. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/100sec @ f/14, ISO 100.

When I visited Middelburg in June 2026, it was very hot, almost unbearable.

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