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Vlissingen

The Dutch port city of Vlissingen in Walcheren in the province of Zeeland holds a special place in my heart as it where my mother was born, before settling in England. We would visit Vlissingen regularly when I was very young as we still had family over there. Later in my life it had an major impact on me in other ways, with Vlissingen having world class cycling infrastructure (along with the entire country), it ‘got me into cycling’, so to speak, leading to myself taking up cycle racing. Although I no longer race, I still enjoy cycling, so The Netherlands, and in particular, Walcheren, is somewhere I return to often. Walcheren is full of incredible cycle routes, such as the one from Vlissingen to the town of Westkapelle which takes you through sections of woodland which is absolutely stunning.

Vlissingen itself is a city with many attractions, the most obvious one is the boulevard (promenade), which is very popular with visitors. The city has significant history; so much so, that it has an English name, the rather unflattering ‘Flushing’!

As with a lot of the subjects in the photo album, a large number of the photographs go back to the early-90s so it is interesting to see how things have changed over the years.

1. Photograph details unknown - around August 1994, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

The boulevard in Vlissingen is the major draw of the city. I have spent many a happy day there.

2. Photograph details unknown - summer 1995, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

On the beach itself.

3. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

This is what the boulevard looked like in the 1990s…

4. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

…and here we have the boulevard in 2026; although this photo was taken in a different place to the one above, the increase in size of the buildings show just how much it has been developed.

5. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

As can be case with a lot of photographs, it is the unexpected addition of an element to a scene that adds that extra something; in this case, what might have been a fairly mundane image of the beach becomes something else with the myriad of tractor tyre tracks.

6. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/400sec @ f/5.6, exposure compensation +0.3 stop, ISO 125.

Taking a walk on the beach with the tide out, and you will more often than not come across a ‘kwal’ (jellyfish). I much prefer seeing them in this state than meeting them in the water!

7. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/16, exposure compensation +0.6 stop, ISO 500.

9. 29 October 1998, Minolta 9000, Minolta 50mm f/1.7, 1/60sec @ f/6.7, Cokin Grey Graduated filter 120, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

10. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

11. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

Ready, just in case the people in Breskens across the pond start getting ideas.

12. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8, 1/80sec @ f/9.5, ISO 100.

The Leeuwentrap(Lion Staircase), a well-known part of Vlissingen that takes you up to the boulevard.

13. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

One of the ferry services that I have used to travel to the Netherlands; the Sheerness to Vlissingen Olau line service, which sadly is no longer running.

14. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/320sec @ f/4.8, ISO 100.

One of the unique features of the seafront in Vlissingen is that it is gets very deep very close by the seafront, which means that large tankers sail quite close to the beach. It is quite enjoyable watching these huge ships sail by.

15. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 200mm), 1/160sec, f/45, ISO 100.

16. 27 October 1998, Minolta 9000, Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/4, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

17. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 200mm), 1/160sec, f/45, ISO 100.

The Windorgel (wind organ), located at the western side of the boulevard, which is an amazing art installation with vertical ‘pipes’ that are designed to make a sound when the wind blows; which, being The Netherlands, is pretty much all the time!

8. Photograph details unknown - summer 1995, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

This is a bit further along the boulevard, with the ‘Gevangentoren’ in the background (the building with the pointy roof), which used to be a prison(now a restaurant), with a canon in the foreground.

18. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

A closer view of the windorgel.

19. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

The windorgel in 1993, taken from a location with the boulevard behind; it looks exactly the same of course, the only change is the addiction of safety barriers.

20. 21 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/2.8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

Photo taken as night starts to fall, and a certain peace falls over the boulevard after another busy day.

21. 21 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Minolta 50mm f/1.7, 1/30sec @ f/2, Cokin Grey Graduated filter 121, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

Sunset.

22. Photograph details unknown - around October 1998, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

26. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/160sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

Another statue, located at the other end of the boulevard from the windorgel - Michiel de Ruyter, a naval admiral who was born in Vlissingen.

27. Photograph details unknown - around October 1995, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

Closer view of the statue.

28. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

Moving away from the boulevard into the main city, here is a typical street with attractive terraced houses, with the usual multiple bikes parked outside.

29. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

30. Photograph details unknown - around October 1995, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

Distinctive Greek-style houses.

31. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/8, ISO 100.

The same buildings as above, thirty-odd years later. I believe they are used as hotels. The only obvious difference is the road now acts as a ramp to access the underground car park..

32. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

33. 24 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

Vlissingen town hall.

34. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

The obligatory windmill.

35. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

The Watertoren (water tower), a historic building, dating back to 1894.

36. Photograph details unknown - summer 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

The Scheledplein, located at the start of the Walstraat, the main shopping street of Vlissingen.

38. 23 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Minolta 50mm f/1.7, 1/60sec @ f/4.5, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

39. 13 August 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/6.7, Cokin Circular Polarizer filter 164, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

The Jachthaven(yacht harbour) of Vlissingen.

40. 23 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Minolta 50mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/9.5, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.

23. Photograph details unknown - around September 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

24. Photograph details unknown - around October 1993, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

25. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/160sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

The statue of Frans Naerebout, a naval hero who saved 87 members of crew during a rescue of a ship in peril on 27th July 1779.

37. Photograph details unknown - around October 1995, Fujichrome(unknown ISO).

41. 22 June 2026, Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/640sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

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