The Mastenbroek Polder 

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The Mastenbroek Polder was created in 1363 when the area between the IJssel and Zwarte Water was drained and reclaimed. The reclamation took place along three waterways- the Bisschopswetering (Bishop's), de Oude (Old) and de Nieuwe (New) Waterways- dug from south to north through de polder. Three roads were built exactly on top of the reclaimed land, and a church erected in the middle. The Thatched-roofed farms were erected atop the levees, their plots long strips in an otherwise open landscape.