One Page. Icon of Dutch culture - Wooden Shoes or Klompen -
In many countries there is still the image that all Dutch people wear clogs. At the moment however, a very small proportion of rural residents still wear clogs.
To arise
The clog (in Dutch: KLOMP) has a long and rich history in the Netherlands. The first clogs date back to the 13th century, although at the time they were a lot simpler than the clogs we know today. In the Middle Ages, clogs were especially popular among farmers and workers because they were cheap and practical. They protected the feet against mud, water and cold. The oldest known clog in the world was found in Amsterdam and dates from 1230.
Manufacturing
Clogs are traditionally made from willow or poplar wood. The wood is sawn into blocks and then formed into clogs using hand tools or machines. The clogs are then painted or varnished.
Wear
Clogs used to be worn by people from all walks of life. Nowadays they are mainly worn as traditional footwear, but also as a souvenir or decoration.
Clog factories
In the 19th century there were hundreds of clog factories in the Netherlands. The rise of rubber shoes has resulted in a sharp decline in the number of factories. Nowadays there are only a few clog factories in the Netherlands, which mainly produce tourist clogs. To this day, there are still approximately 10 clog factories in the Netherlands. Most of these factories are small and produce clogs using traditional methods.
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Toon Oomens
