| Ossenzijl | |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Native Name Lang: | nl |
| Pushpin Map: | Netherlands Overijssel#Netherlands |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the Netherlands |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Netherlands |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Overijssel |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name2: | Steenwijkerland |
| Elevation Footnotes: | [1] |
| Elevation M: | -0.4 |
| Area Total Km2: | 15.67 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Total: | 565 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | CET |
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
| Timezone Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 8376 |
| Area Code Type: | Dialing code |
| Area Code: | 0561 |
| Coordinates: | 52.8084°N 5.9173°W |
Ossenzijl (Dutch Low Saxon: Ossenziel) is a village in the municipality Steenwijkerland of the Dutch province of Overijssel. It started as a sluice owned by the Osse family. It is an entry point to the Weerribben-Wieden National Park.
The village was first mentioned in 1437 as Ossenzyle, and refers to a sluice which was owned by the Osse family.[3] [4] The original sluice was destroyed in 1570, and rebuilt in 1790. Ossenzijl developed into a harbour village for peat export.[4] In 1840, it was home to 281 people.[5] In 1930, the sluice was removed.[3] Several small windmills have been built on the edge of the Weerribben,[4] including two tjaskers, little windmills for drainage.[6] [7]
Ossenzijl serves as one of the entry points to the Weerribben, a large bog, and the Frisian Lakes.[8] After World War II, the village became a tourist destination. Many of the houses were rebuilt as a holiday homes,[4] and a marina was added to the village.[5] The Weerribben was declared a national park in 1992. In 2009, De Wieden was added forming a nature area.[9]