Bank van Banck - Observation point

The Bank van Banck is a stone bench on the sea dike of Schiermonnikoog, in honour of John Eric Banck. He bought the island in 1858 and in 1860 had the dike built that protects the village and created the Banckspolder.

What can you expect at the Bank van Banck?

• History: Banck did a great deal for the island. He founded a nautical school and a bathing company, and had a duck decoy and a seaside hotel built.
• The bench: The triangular bench of masonry granite blocks stands on his favourite spot at the corner of the polder. You can sit on three sides. It bears a poem in the island dialect by Lammert Wiersma, part of the Taalroute.
• Views: You look out over the Wadden Sea and the Rif, a major high-tide roost for waders. On the other side you see the polder, the Westerplas and the village.

Practical information

• Getting there: The bench is on the Melle Grietjespad on the dike, within walking and cycling distance of the village. The Westerplas bird screen is close by.
• Birds: In spring and autumn you can see large flocks of waders on the Rif and, with luck, a peregrine falcon.

The Bank van Banck is a simple monument with a big story and a beautiful view over Schiermonnikoog.

Furthermore Bank van Banck is near the following sights: Bank Minne Onnespad (±250 m), Bird watching hut Westerplas (±400 m), Westerplas (±650 m), Information centre Het Baken (±650 m) & Het Rif (±700 m).

For information

Melle Grietjespad, Schiermonnikoog