The Oude Haven (Old Harbour) is Spakenburg’s soul. The harbour dates back to the 15th century. Ot was built for the botters, wooden boats used by fishermen when fishing was a way to earn a living.

After the construction of the Afsluitdijk, the saltwater Zuiderzee was dammed off and became a freshwater lake. This put an end to the fishing industry. The harbour no longer served the same function and became a marina.

Around 1975 more and more people started buying up the old botters and refurbishing them for recreational purposes. Nowadays about twenty of these old vessels can be admired in the Oude Haven.