Spaarnedam Haarlem

statue of Hans Brinker in spaarnedam haarlem plugging the dike with his finger. dedicated to our youth, to honor the boy who symbolizes the perpetual struggle of Holland against the water

Named after the dam in the river Spaarne and dating from 1285 is Spaarnedam Haarlem.
The village lived from fishing and there is even an eel smokehouse still active.
A toll was raised and the village was strategically important for Amsterdam. Therefore two fortresses were built as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
A touristic highlight is the statue of Hans Brinker, who protected the land from a flood with just one finger in the dike. The story is of American origin, the Dutch doubt whether it is true.

https://www.verhalenbank.nl/solr-search?q=hans+brinker