Blokzijl

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Blokzijl

| settlement_type = City

| other_name =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang = nl

| image_skyline = File:Blokzijl, de Havenkolk vanaf de Zuiderkade met zicht op de Bierkade en de Hervormde kerk (RM10448) en de Zeedijk IMG 2834 2018-04-20 14.49.jpg

| image_alt =

| image_caption = View on the city

| image_shield = Blokzijl wapen.svg

| image_flag = Blokzijl vlag.svg

| nickname =

| motto =

| image_map =

| map_caption =

| image_map1 =

| map_caption1 =

| 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

| leader_title =

| leader_name =

| leader_party =

| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 8356BE |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 17 March 2022 }}

| elevation_m = 1

| elevation_min_m =

| elevation_max_m =

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 = 16.28

| established_title =

| established_date =

| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=17 March 2022}}

| population_total = 1,400

| population_as_of = 2021

| population_demonym =

| population_note =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| timezone = CET

| utc_offset = +1

| timezone_DST = CEST

| utc_offset_DST = +2

| postal_code_type = Postal code

| postal_code = 8356

| area_code_type = Dialing code

| area_code = 0527

| coordinates = {{coord|52|43|35|N|5|57|42|E|region:NL|display=inline, title}}

}}

Blokzijl is a small city located southwest of Steenwijk in the province of Overijssel, the Netherlands. The city is a major tourist destination near the De Weerribben-Wieden National Park and attracts many water sports enthusiasts.

Blokzijl was founded in the 1580s as a trading post for peat. After the Siege of Steenwijk (1580–81) in the Eighty Years' War, the Dutch built a fortified lock or in local dialect zijl or siel. The monumental houses around the picturesque harbour were built during 17th century. Blokzijl received city rights in 1672, but was stripped of them a few years later. Until 1973, it was a separate municipality, when it became a component of the new municipality Brederwiede; it is now part of Steenwijkerland.

One the interesting sights of the city is an old cannon, located on the harbour quay. This cannon was not used for defense purposes, but as a warning device during storm and high tide. Flooding was a real danger before the Noordoostpolder and the Afsluitdijk were constructed in the 1930-40's. One residential building shows the height the water reached during a flood in 1825. In 1926, a fire destroyed part of the centre and damaged the church.{{cite web|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=blokzijl+brand&coll=ddd&page=2&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1920-1929%7C1926%7C&identifier=MMKB04:000144403:mpeg21:a0024&resultsidentifier=MMKB04:000144403:mpeg21:a0024&rowid=8 |title=De zware brand te Blokzijl |website=Haagsche courant |date=29 July 1926 |language=nl |access-date=17 March 2022 }}