Sale of goods from rowboats

In the last century, Wemeldinge thrived on agriculture, fishing, and oyster farming, but also on parlevinken. Between 1866 and 1993, there was a lock in Wemeldinge, on the Canal through Zuid-Beveland. This brought trade; parlevinkers sold their goods from rowboats to the ships waiting in the lock. Inland waterway skippers waiting for the locks could do their shopping with them. The parlevinkers supplied various products—from foodstuffs to cleaning supplies, oil, rope, and more—to the passing ships. It was quite a lively scene!

Trade by water came to an end

In 1992, the South Beveland Canal was widened and rerouted around Wemeldinge. The locks at Wemeldinge became obsolete, and trade on the water came to an end. The site of the former locks is now home to the marina, the promenade, and a charming residential neighborhood. Visit the Zeeuwse Ankers website if you’d like to learn more about the Parlevinkers. There is also a Parlevinkers walking route in Wemeldinge.