Welcome to the first stop on the Peddelpad trail. Step back in time and discover more about the history and cultural heritage of this place. Are you curious to find out what species live here? Here you can learn more about the species, both in and out of the water.
Location 1: Marchantstraat
In 1913, the Remmert Holland pigment factory was established on Kanaal Zuid. Its full name was N.V. Verfstoffenfabriek Holland, and it was formerly known as Dr Remmert and Co. The director and founder, E.W. Remmert, lived in the De Parken neighbourhood of Apeldoorn and managed the factory for many years.
Between 1959 and 1965, Remmert was temporarily part of Sikkens. In 1970, the German company BASF took over the factory. In 2010, the Apeldoorn site was closed.
As shipping became possible on the Apeldoorn Canal, it became attractive for industry to establish itself here. With the arrival of the Dieren–Apeldoorn–Hattem railway line, industrial activity in the Canal Zone grew further. The railway line was built by the Royal Dutch Localsprailway–King William III’s railway company (KNLS). The railway line was opened on 2 July 1887.
Apeldoorn has traditionally been home to many car dealerships. In the 19the In the 19th century, there were many stables in Apeldoorn, including those attached to inns where people could stable their horses. With the rise of the car, the horse was replaced by these four-wheeled vehicles. It is likely that many stables were converted into car businesses. A car dealership operated in the centre of the Marktplein. It was not until the 1950s and 1960s that the first garages were built at this location along the canal.
The kingfisher: a lightning-fast hunter
The kingfisher is a small, lightning-fast bird that likes to spend time near water. This little bird is an excellent hunter and mainly feeds on small fish that it catches in flowing water. You often hear the kingfisher before you see it. It usually flies over the water, calling loudly.
The kingfisher likes to fish in fast-flowing, clear water. Kingfishers prefer to have some trees or bushes along the water’s edge, which they use as a base. From there, they hunt across the water. The Grift, which flows nearby, is therefore an excellent spot for this little blue-and-orange bird.
The kingfisher does not get its name from the winter months, but from its colour. Its steel-blue plumage – or ‘eisenblau’ in German – contrasts beautifully with the orange.
The hazel tree: a magnificent sight
Hazel trees stand at various points along the banks of the canal. Their roots grip firmly into the damp soil, holding the bank together. Dragonflies buzz amongst their leaves, taking a brief rest from their flight over the water. Birds take shelter in its branches, finding a safe haven here, whilst squirrels and water voles gather the ripe hazelnuts. Some of these nuts remain in the soft bank soil and grow into new shrubs that help to retain the water.
Beneath the ground, the hazel tree works in partnership with fungi that help it absorb nutrients from the damp soil. In this way, it keeps life along the riverbank healthy and thriving. The hazel doesn’t just stand there for no reason: it is a silent protector of the water and a source of food and shelter for everything that lives along the bank.
Watercress: small but highly valuable
Water sorrel grows along the banks of the canal; it is a simple plant that does much more than meets the eye. Its roots hold the damp bank soil together, precisely in places where the water would otherwise erode the edge.
The small flowers attract bees, hoverflies and butterflies, meaning the plant helps to pollinate other species along the canal. Insects and small aquatic creatures take shelter amongst the leaves and stems, whilst ducks and geese enjoy feeding on the young leaves.
When the seeds are ripe, some are carried along by the current and take root further downstream. This is how water sorrel spreads naturally, keeping the bank vibrant and sturdy. Small but indispensable — that’s how water sorrel grows along the canal.
The rudd: more than just a beautiful fish
In the Apeldoorn Canal, where sunlight plays amongst the aquatic plants and dragonflies dance above the surface, lives a fish that is often overlooked: the rudd. With its shimmering golden scales and bright red fins, it looks like a jewel in the water. As well as its beauty, the rudd also plays an important role in the ecosystem.
The rudd is a herbivore and omnivore, feeding on aquatic plants, algae and, occasionally, small insects. Thanks to these feeding habits, it helps to limit algal blooms and keep the water clear. This is crucial, as too much algae can lead to oxygen depletion and the suffocation of other aquatic organisms.
In addition, the rudd plays a role in the food chain. It is an important prey species for predatory fish such as snook and perch, but also for birds such as herons and grebes. Without rudd, these predators would have less food, which would disrupt the entire ecosystem.
Its preference for areas with plenty of aquatic plants and algae makes it an indicator of healthy waters. Where rudd are found, there is often a rich ecosystem teeming with aquatic plants, insects and amphibians. Furthermore, it helps to disperse the seeds of aquatic plants by eating them and later excreting them.
The rudd is therefore not a ‘king’ like the pike, but rather a guardian of balance. It ensures clear water, provides food for predators and supports biodiversity. An ecosystem without rudd would be poorer, murkier and less stable.
The bat: the nocturnal hunter
When the sun sets and the water’s surface becomes a mirror of the night, the silent hunters come to life: the bats. There are 18 species of bat in the Netherlands; in Apeldoorn, 12 species have been recorded to date. The most common species is the common pipistrelle – you can spot it anywhere in the city at night! Even here along the canal.
A somewhat less common bat can also be found along the canal: the Daubenton’s bat. With its graceful wings, it glides low over rivers, ditches and ponds, skimming just above the water. Its mission? To catch insects dancing above the water.
The Daubenton’s bat is a specialist. It mainly hunts mosquitoes, midges and other small insects found near water. This makes it a natural pest controller: a single bat can eat hundreds or even thousands of insects per night. Without it, mosquito populations would be much larger, which is not only a nuisance for people but also affects the spread of diseases and the balance of the ecosystem.
But its role goes further. By regulating insect populations, the Daubenton’s bat (and other bat species) helps to maintain the balance of food chains. Moreover, it is itself prey for owls and other predators, making it an important link in the ecosystem.
The presence of Daubenton’s bats is also an indicator of healthy waters. They need clean water with plenty of insects, and safe places to rest and hibernate. Where Daubenton’s bats fly, the ecosystem is usually rich and well-balanced. And there is another subtle contribution: their droppings (guano) are rich in nutrients and help to improve soil fertility in their habitat. In this way, what they take from the water is indirectly returned to the land.
Darkness is important for the Daubenton’s bat, just as it is for all bats. Lighting disrupts their habitat, which is why we are increasingly trying to install street lighting only where it is necessary, and to ensure that the light shines downwards only. Darkness is important for many species.